Face Blind

This morning I was thinking about my extremely young Relief Society president who confesses she is"face blind" and autistic.  Prosopagnosia, also called face blindness has the Greek root "prosopon=face, "agnosia"= not knowing. This is when the ability to "recognize faces is impaired, while other aspects of visual processing and intellectual functioning remain intact." Serving as RS president with her impairments is like trying to run a marathon without legs;  how can you love someone if you don't know them?   How can you know someone if you can't even recognize their face? How can you draw close to others if you have difficulty connecting with people in the first place?  I don't know how she does it-but she does. This statuesque woman, towering above us in so many ways (a tall woman who still wears heels) debases herself, proclaiming, " I am weak but I have been called to lead"-and she does.  As is so often the case, as we turn to the Lord, he turns weakness into strength. "...if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

Kara has been made strong is discerning needs of women in the ward.  Discerning is related to exercising righteous judgment.  Though not a judge in Israel like a bishop,  she is still required to make judgements all the time.   She has to discern between right and wrong-truth and error.  Judgement is also related to decision making-deciding the best course of action to address a problem.  She carries the burden of leadership -to decide what needs to be done-now; to make decisions propelling the masses in the right direction to reach the determined destination.  Kara seeks inspiration.  She likes to looks out into the faces of the sisters in the congregation and receive impressions about the support needed. Like looking at an impressionist painting, trying to feel the emotion of the artist while looking at the blurry colors and sweeping strokes.  The fine details aren't as important-the distinct facial features don't have to be in sharp focus. It's the impression of what's going on in each person's heart and head.  It's the impression of what's going on in her head and heart as she looks at them.  It then becomes a matter of following through with the impressions and promptings while reaching out.

Kara has been made strong in knowledge and power.  She knows "people" It's not every day you get a RS president who has a degree in anthropology.  She has so much knowledge of the world and its' people.  She has a passion for living abroad and often feels more comfortable living in third world conditions than in the United States.  She brings her passion and knowledge of global concerns and its' people and somehow expands our narrow and sometimes close-minded world of Provo, Utah.  Through her leadership, she has created an open environment where women in the neighborhood come to feel accepted, valued, appreciated, honored, and loved.  In our meetings, women feel free to honestly"say it like it is" or  how they would like it to be.  With these open, candid discussions, Kara can steer the course back to the most salient points in the lesson and bring the focus back to what the Lord wants us to know at that moment.  Kara is a strong proponent in recognizing and appreciating the equality of women and the blessings predicated upon obedience to gospel principles. 

Kara has been made strong to draw people close quickly.  In a transient ward, sometimes all she has is a quick opportunity to connect. I felt close to her at our first visit. I can tell she takes her responsibilities seriously-she knows who she represents.  She knows that a very particular mantle has befallen her allowing her to sincerely care about others, especially those within her stewardship.  She is a conduit for others to feel the love of the Lord-to communicate the Lord is aware of them.  He knows them.  He cares about them. Our big and little things matter to him. She may not know me from Adam, but through her, I have felt like the Lord does.  It shows in her eyes. It shows in the questions she asks.  It shows in the words she chooses while responding.  It shows in her actions as she tries to help and strengthen.

Kara has been made strong as a leader who helps us help each other. Anyone can be a "do-gooder" but it's a whole different challenge to get other people to "do good."   Like many the RS president before her, she utilizes the established network of support to tirelessly provide "relief" to all the families in the ward who need help with anything and everything.  With her youth and intelligence she also tries to move a bunch of old ladies into the high tech generation. She uses her smart phone and places it up to the mic so a sister who can't get out of bed can virtually attend meetings.  She uses Google groups to get quick email responses and increase communication about current needs and conditions, opportunities and resources, or even thoughts and feelings to promote unity.  Though she understands the temporal needs in providing casseroles for the food bank, missionaries, the sick, or new mothers, she also realizes that sometimes the greatest need people have is to be known and understood.

God wants to be known and understood.  Last week during my nieces wedding, the sealer pointed out that all the ordinances and principles of the gospel aim to help us know God.  We have been promised that  "every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;"  If I saw the Savior face to face-I'd want to recognize him.  Though I admit, I have not seen him.  However, I recognize HIS light in the faces of my leaders, like Kara and scores of others who have been called and set apart, under the direction of His priesthood to represent the Savior in some form or fashion. It's not hard to spot as it shines bright in the countenances of others.  In fact, this light is becoming quite familiar for me to recognize.  I'm becoming a little less face blind.