Losing Opportunities 

When I went to Paris on a BYU Study Abroad for French teachers, we were asked to take pictures (lots of them!) in a variety of categories and then compare the cultural differences between what we found there and here in America. I chose several categories including toilets (which my junior high students - particularly the boys loved), doors, food, flowers, and windows. I was especially intrigued with the windows which seemed to do so much more than just be a way to bring light into a room.

In America, the windows seemed more functional whereas in France, they were a work of art. I was enthralled with the designs, colors, and fabrics which combined to form a masterpiece. 

A window is an amazing thing.  It allows light to come in yet affords the looker both comfort and protection from the elements. 

It is through windows that we often view our lives.  In times of illness, it is often through a window that we vicariously live.  We look out on the lives and interactions of the world from the safe harbor of our own home.  

Without windows, we are left to use artificial light, which feels unnatural and void of life.  Whereas, sunlight that shines through a window (especially after days of dreary and cloud-covered weather) not only enlightens our rooms but frequently our minds and hearts as well.  It can have the feeling of being alive and vibrant and can awaken our senses, which may have been dulled by periods of darkness and despair.  

But if we consider windows in a metaphorical sense, we may think of windows of time or opportunity that disappear if we do not act on them. 

These may be times, places, or events that are open for a time and then close.  In rearing our children, we are given a window of time, those years when we have them home and can have the greatest influence on them.  But within this window are multiple smaller ones – sometimes on an hourly or minute-by-minute basis.  Sometimes our children find it difficult to share their thoughts and feelings.  When that window opens (and it may be late at night or when we are in the middle of something) we need to be willing and ready to look through that window and reach out to our child. 

 Likewise, our entire life is a window – “a time to prepare to meet god.”  (Alma 34)  How we use our time while here will determine our advantage in the world to come.  It we ignore opportunities to serve others, to share our talents or to develop new ones, those chances will pass us by.  And with the passage of time, often comes a greater hesitancy or even ability to do what we neglected to do before.  Our health and circumstances may change.  Our contact with people may be lost through a move or even death.  The needs of those for whom we are responsible will change.  If we put off until tomorrow, what can we do today? Tomorrow may never come. 

What then keeps us from taking advantage of those opportunities when they present themselves?  Fear, more than anything else, hinders our ability to act when the moment is there.  Will I be successful?  Will others see me and make fun of me?  Can I really make a difference?  An unused opportunity is like a window covered with dirt and grease from years of neglect.  We can’t see these opportunities any more than we can enjoy the sunlight through a dirty window.  We must keep our windows clean so that we can see opportunities when they present themselves.  And then, with faith, we can move forward to accomplish what we can do.