It is often difficult for us to do things because they are
so very different from what we are used to, not because the thing itself is
particularly difficult. With you, and indeed most Bahá'ís, who are now, as
adults, accepting this glorious Faith, no doubt some of the ordinances, like
fasting and daily prayer, are hard to understand and obey at first. But we must
always think that these things are given to all men for a thousand years to
come. For Bahá'í children who see these things practiced in the home, they will
be as natural and necessary a thing as going to church on Sunday was to the
more pious generation of Christians. Bahá'u'lláh would not have given us these
things if they would not greatly benefit us, and, like children who are
sensible enough to realize their father is wise and does what is good for them,
we must accept to obey these ordinances even though at first we may not see any
need for them. As we obey them we will gradually come to see in ourselves the
benefits they confer.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an
individual believer, March 16, 1949; Lights of Guidance)
