When we fence a space, be it a ranch or field or what
ever, we have several purposes in mind. First to encircle and protect
that which is precious within and so it can develop and grow without
being hindered and destroyed by the evil and destructive forces
without.
Second: to keep evil and destructive forces out and we
usually have a gate to permit entrance and exit. Usually the gate is
operated by the owner of the property who decides what is to come in
and what is to go out.
Now I will explain why I gave this obvious explanation
of fences. I will call it the parable of the fence: We have a
beautiful little property in the mountains but it was barren and
overgrazed and the flood waters were causing erosion and destruction
along the creek and the muddy water would quickly run off and be gone
leaving scars and gashes in its wake. It pained us to see this
conditions and wanted to do something about it. When the Team of
specialists from the Department of the Interior of the US. Gov. came
down and gave some seminars on the conservation of small streams and
range land, they suggested that we fence out the creek giving it
protection and a chance to grow back. With my strengthened resolve we
fenced out the creek leaving watering places for the cattle to drink
where they would do little damage.
Now after two years we can see the marvelous results.
The creek has grown back with all kinds of water plants, herbs,
grasses and Pussy Willows. Even the Pines and Poplars are thriving.
The stream is running crystal clear even after a rain because it is
not washing the soil away. The Tiger lilies and star flowers and all
of the other beautiful plants are coming back to bloom and grow and
multiply.
The team also suggested that we take out the cedars
that suck up the moisture more than any other tree or plant. We have
taken many of them out but still have many to go because they have
become a plague.
In our homes and our lives we need to put up a fence
around our homes and around our selves. The only fence that can
protect the precious things that are within is to create a protection
by keeping the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ. we can enforce
that fence with faith and a strong Testimony of the living Christ.
This fence can keep out the constant bombardment of evil from without
and give us a chance to flourish and grow within. With that protection
we can bring to flower our spiritual gifts and talents and let the
clear waters of the Gospel firm up our roots and help us to grow
strong in our convictions and moral standards. In this climate our
children can grow up in peace and happiness and become more
independent and strong so that when it comes their time to go out of
the gate of the home fence they will have a fence of their own which
they can extend around their eternal companion and around their own
home and family.
We need to sometimes weed out the bad habits and the
cedars that suck out the moisture of our spiritual stream and cause a
drying up of the life giving spirituality.
Another purpose of the fence is that the water level of
the stream will increase and the productivity of the whole will
increase and be of greater value. Also in our lives if protected by
the living of the Gospel of Jesus Christ our spiritual flow will
increase and our productivity will increase and we will be of more
value to our Heavenly Father and to our family and community and to
our fellow men.
When Horses are placed in a new pasture they will go
around all of the fence, not looking for a way out but so that they
can learn what the limits are. After seeing the limits they will
settle down and be happy knowing that they are secure within the
limits of the fence. If our children in the family know the limits of
the fence and the standards of the Gospel, then they feel secure
knowing where their protection and limits are and what is expected of
them.
When I think of our Father's plan of happiness and
eternal progress I can see the necessity of the fence, his laws and
commandments to teach us the way to joy and eternal life. We can put
up the fence of obedience and love and feel the security and joy of
His love and protection.