Marvin J. Ashton wrote in his book “Be of Good Cheer”:
Many years ago I heard a story that impressed me. A beautiful little blind girl was sitting on the lap of her father in a crowded compartment in a train. A friend sitting near by said to the father, “Let me give you a little rest,” and he reached over and took the little girl on his lap.
A few moments later the father said to her. “Do you know who is holding you?”
“No”, she said, “but you do.”
Some might be inclined to say, “What a perfect trust this child had in her father.” Others might say, what a wonderful example of love.” And still others might say, “What an example of faith.” To me it indicates a beautiful blending of all of these principles, which brought a priceless inner peace to this child. She knew she was safe because she knew her father knew who was holding her. Affection, respect and care over the years had placed in this little girl’s heart a peace that surpasseth all understanding. She was at peace because she knew and trusted her father.
We plead for peace in our prayers and thoughts. Where is peace? Can we ever enjoy this great gift while wars, rumors of wars, discord, evil and contention swirl all around us? The answer is yes. Just as the little blind girl sat on the stranger’s lap with perfect contentment because her father knew him, so we can learn to know our Father and find inner peace as we live His principles.
It is very significant that when Jesus came forth from the tomb and appeared to His disciples, His first greeting was, “Peace be unto you.” (Luke 24:36) Peace—not passion, not personal possessions, not personal accomplishments nor happiness—is one of the greatest blessings we can receive. Our trust and our relationship with our Heavenly Father should be one similar to that of the little blind girl and her earthly father. When sorrow, tragedy, and heartbreaks occur in our lives, wouldn’t it be comforting if when the whisperings of God say, “Do you know why this has happened to you?” we could have the peace of mind to answer “No, but you do.”
Certainly peace is the opposite of fear. Peace is a blessing that comes to those who trust God. It is established through individual righteousness. True personal peace comes about through eternal vigilance and constant righteous efforts. No one can be at peace who is untrue to his or her better self. No one can have lasting peace who is living a lie. Peace can never come to the transgressor of the law. Commitment to God’s laws is the basis of peace. Peace is something we learn. It is not a gift. Rather, it is a possession earned by those who love God and work to achieve the blessings of peace. It is not a written document. It is something that must come from within. ~ Marvin J. Ashton, “Be of Good Cheer”, Deseret Book, 1987, p.86-87
(Posts with a preamble asterisk * are for a more general audience, and not specific to teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)
