Yesterday we took two of our grandchildren to a Maker Expo at a public library near us. The expo included demonstrations by everyone from members of a high school robotics club to drone enthusiasts (with passenger headsets we could wear) on everything from 3D printing to soap making. The hands-on activities offered ranged from creating magnets with die-cut paper flowers to beaded bracelets to homemade rockets, which the kids then had the chance to test on the rocket launcher on the lawn outside the library.
One of the activities our grandson chose included selecting a 3D-printed character to personalize and take home. After decorating his blue llama, he deposited it into the plastic bag provided by the library for the express purpose of transporting all the precious treasures the children created and acquired during the expo. When the event ended, our grandkids buckled themselves in to their car seats and we headed to our favorite ice cream shop.
When we arrived, Dallas and our grandson were slow to exit the car, and I soon learned the reason: our grandson had lost his blue llama. The two of them poked around in the bench seats of the car, lifted car mats, and scoured every pocket and compartment, but with no luck. Our grandson was disappointed, but handled it well.
We made short work of our Bruster's ice cream treats, and then loaded back up in the car. I had the thought that perhaps the llama had fallen out of the car when we got to Bruster's, and checked under the car in one last attempt to locate the missing creature. But he was nowhere to be found, and it was time to head home.
About halfway there, our grandson suddenly shouted: "I found my llama!" We were appropriately excited and congratulatory, and I twisted around in my seat to ask him where he had found it. He pointed to the handle above his seat, the "grab handle" which passengers can reach for when the ride takes an unexpected turn. He had forgotten he had tucked it up there during play. "Oh!" I exclaimed, "I never would have thought to look up!"
In the exact moment I spoke, I was struck by the deeper ramifications of failing to look up.
We frequently find ourselves in circumstances where we have lost something, whether it be a tangible thing, a relationship, or even our way. We ourselves may feel lost, have questions or doubts, or be faced with an important decision, and are unsure of how to move forward, of where to turn for the help or answers or perspective or patience or support we need.
Too often we limit ourselves to pulling up the floor mats, rummaging around in the pockets and the corners, and even enlisting the help of others. We sometimes forget that the best source of help for any trial or challenge or question is our Father in Heaven--and His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." -- Luke 21:28
So whatever you're facing today, remember to look up.
One of the activities our grandson chose included selecting a 3D-printed character to personalize and take home. After decorating his blue llama, he deposited it into the plastic bag provided by the library for the express purpose of transporting all the precious treasures the children created and acquired during the expo. When the event ended, our grandkids buckled themselves in to their car seats and we headed to our favorite ice cream shop.
When we arrived, Dallas and our grandson were slow to exit the car, and I soon learned the reason: our grandson had lost his blue llama. The two of them poked around in the bench seats of the car, lifted car mats, and scoured every pocket and compartment, but with no luck. Our grandson was disappointed, but handled it well.
We made short work of our Bruster's ice cream treats, and then loaded back up in the car. I had the thought that perhaps the llama had fallen out of the car when we got to Bruster's, and checked under the car in one last attempt to locate the missing creature. But he was nowhere to be found, and it was time to head home.
About halfway there, our grandson suddenly shouted: "I found my llama!" We were appropriately excited and congratulatory, and I twisted around in my seat to ask him where he had found it. He pointed to the handle above his seat, the "grab handle" which passengers can reach for when the ride takes an unexpected turn. He had forgotten he had tucked it up there during play. "Oh!" I exclaimed, "I never would have thought to look up!"
In the exact moment I spoke, I was struck by the deeper ramifications of failing to look up.
We frequently find ourselves in circumstances where we have lost something, whether it be a tangible thing, a relationship, or even our way. We ourselves may feel lost, have questions or doubts, or be faced with an important decision, and are unsure of how to move forward, of where to turn for the help or answers or perspective or patience or support we need.
Too often we limit ourselves to pulling up the floor mats, rummaging around in the pockets and the corners, and even enlisting the help of others. We sometimes forget that the best source of help for any trial or challenge or question is our Father in Heaven--and His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." -- Luke 21:28
So whatever you're facing today, remember to look up.
