Opposable Thumbs

Humans are among the very few species that have opposable thumbs. Opposable thumbs help us to grip and hold and carry and manipulate objects and tools with a strength and dexterity and adaptability that no other animal can match. Our hands are stronger and more useful and just plain better for having one finger that works in opposition to the others. I think sometimes when we read in the scriptures that there must needs be opposition in all things, we assume this is one of those nonsensical things that we have to take on blind faith. Sure, God says there must be opposition in all things, but did He even try a Plan with no opposition? Couldn't He have come up with one way in which we could have gone through this life without all of this struggle and pain and opposition? But I think if we remember opposable thumbs, then it might help us to understand why opposition is necessary. Just as we can't hold onto something very easily without opposable thumbs, we can't hold onto happiness without opposable sadness. Nor would we be able to carry around our sadness without opposable happiness. When everything around us is dark, we need that one opposable thumb of light to help us hold onto our way. When everything around us is peaceful, we need that one opposable thumb of chaos to help us hold onto our peace. When we are drowning in grief, that one happy memory that cuts through our sadness and makes us chuckle helps us to maintain our grip. When we are in the middle of a perfect picnic, that one mosquito bite helps us to grab onto that perfect moment and truly savor and appreciate it. When everything is good, we need a little opposable bad, and when everything is bad, we need a little opposable bad to grip and hold and handle and carry our burden, however heavy or light it may be.

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Acting As If It Were True

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Stone Of Stumbling