Blindfolded

On Monday night we had a Family Home Evening lesson on feelings. I had the children each put on a blindfold and gave them instructions – take 3 steps forward, jump around, spin in a circle, find the stairs…this went on and after not too long Libby ran into a wall and Amelia ran into a bookshelf and got hurt. They were both sidelined and sat on the couch with Jeremy while I gave Seth further instructions. I told him to unload the dishwasher. He made it to the dishwasher but then said there was no way he could do it by himself – he couldn’t see. So I told him to take out the recycling. He went to the recycling bin and again had the same problem. He was becoming frustrated and so was Amelia. So allowed Amelia go go help him.

We talked about how when we have on our “feelings blindfolds” it is hard to see that other people around us need help. Seth couldn’t help the girls from getting hurt because he was only focused on himself. When the girls could see that he was struggling it was hard for them not to run to him and help him. This activity has become a great teaching tool not only for my children, but for myself.

After my last post I was touched at the outpouring of love I felt from my dear friends. I was also astounded at how many people told me my post described what they were feeling too. We all have struggles and trials. No one knows what happens behind closed doors, or behind a bright smile. We are masters of disguise and hide our feelings so well. We have on our blindfolds and pray that no one else sees our need.

Sometimes I find it hard to express my feelings adequately without a keyboard in front of me. One of my good friends, who knows what I am going through right now, told me she felt so bad when she read my last post. She felt as if she hadn’t done enough to help me. She hadn’t listened more, hadn’t been there more. She was afraid that she’d had on her blindfold. She didn’t though. She was exactly what I needed when I needed it.

I am trying to take off my blindfold, trying to see the needs of those around me. I know that when I have served others in the midst of my own trials, I have always felt better. While I will still struggle, I can try to be sure I am doing all I can to help others in their struggles. I have been blindfolded for so long and I am ready to take it off so I can see clearly again.