I remember flying kites at the beach when I was a kid.
My sisters and I all got brand new kites, and we spent the day flying them on the always-windy beaches in Northern California.
My dad would run and throw the kite up, and if it caught the wind correctly, I would have to dig my feet into the sand in order to hold the kite.
It always amazed me how tight I had to hold on to my handle.
As I would turn the handle and give the kite more string, the kite would fly higher and higher, until the string stopped.
And, as a kid, I would look up and think, “Man, this string is just holding the kite back from flying even higher.”
It seemed like that string was restrictive.
The kite could fly so much higher without me.
And so, one time, I let go.
The kite turned every possible way before nose-diving into the sand far down the beach.
It turns out, the string that I thought was so restrictive was actually the only thing helping the kite reach its highest point.
This is what the commandments look like to many people, right?
People are shocked when they find out we give 10% of our income as tithes. That we abstain from alcohol. That we don’t do playdates on Sundays.
What foolish ways to bind ourselves down! Just like a silly, restrictive kite string!
And yet, I have found that while these “restrictions” look like they would hold us back, they create the perfect amount of tension to let us reach our highest potential.
In D&C 95:11, the Lord promises the saints who didn’t think they could build a temple: “If you keep my commandments you shall have power to build it.”
The commandments were going to give them power.
And the commandments continue to create power in our lives.
So to me, this “restrictive” religion is actually creating the greatest freedom I can imagine!
And I’m grateful for the tension on the string, even if others view it as holding myself back.
Because I know that without it, my “freedom” wouldn’t help me get to become the person I know I can be.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
8 Responses
As kids, we also tied a long ribbon that gave the kite stability. We could liken that to burdens that we have in our lives — they can give us stability. However, if I put too much weight on the kite, it sometimes couldn’t stay in the air. In our lives, some burdens–like sin–can weigh us down and we have to shed them in order to reach the heights that we could attain. Fortunately, repentance is the way to shed our heaviest burdens and can help us keep the right balance. I do a little experiment with this on occasion as we visit the beach.
What a great addition to the analogy! Repentance is our way to continue continue reaching our potential. Thanks for sharing!
What a beautiful analogy. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks <3
I was taught this exact analogy from the missionary 35 years ago. I went on to teach it to every one of our investigators on my mission, my kids multiple times, and every Sunday school & seminary class I’ve ever taught. ???? thanks for putting such a great illustration with this great analogy!
Yes! It is such a great analogy. Flying a kite is something many people have experienced or seen before. Just like Christ taught the gospel with parables and stories, we too can teach with our own stories that can help others understand the gospel. <3
Thanks; will be sharing this one.
Thank you! I love it when you share! <3