Jiddah and Pruning

Ruins at Jiddah, Saudi Arabia

Jiddah is in one of the areas of Saudi Arabia where ancient waterholes are more than a day's journey between.  It was during this part of Lehi's journey that he and his family had great difficulties in finding food.  It was also during these days that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael tended to murmur against their fathers and against Nephi, seeking evil against them.

I have had Jiddah days in my life and like Lehi's eldest boys, I have sometimes murmured.  The twenty years following Carmon's death were Jiddah years.  The first few months following the death of Rich and my dad were also Jiddah years.  But even though I grumbled on occasion, I never sought evil against anyone. And I never gave up the faith.  I often felt like Job in my trials (and Job did mourn) but like Job I hung in there.  And like Job, I have been doubly blessed.

One day, about a year after Carm's death, I was pruning my fruit trees.  I found myself apologizing to the trees for ignoring them last year.  It was then that the Spirit spoke and said: "Last year, I was pruning you."  I try to remember that.

We all need our Jiddah's - our pruning times.  The trick is to stay patient, even in the pain.

Text copyright June 2013 Gebara Education

 

Picture of the ruins at Jiddah from www.wikileaksnews.net

Picture of tree being pruned from www.heraldextra.com