Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Happiness through Selflessness and Obedience

I was reading in the Ensign last week when I came upon a topic that struck me in more ways then one. Realizing that I am at fault and so are many parents that are in the church that seem to get caught up in the ways of the world. I always say that I could never of been a pioneer because of all the sacrifices they had to make along with the trek they endured. But the honest truth is the same is being asked of us as parents. I have found myself living my life day to day figuring out ways that I can be alone/find myself with out little M pulling at my finger, climbing all over me, hitting me with something, making him food, cleaning up his messes and making sure Alan is taken care of too. I've been doing it all wrong. Just like the Pioneers were asked to make sacrifices so have I. I've been justifying ways to say that I need to have my own time/find myself by sneaking off while mason is playing to go on FB or play a Sudoku game or browsing the internet. Instead I should be playing with little M and doing better with my duties as a mother/wife.
In the Ensign is says, "Selfishness in any degree weakens the bonds that hold families together." Don't get me wrong I do play with little M and I do try and keep my house clean, laundry done etc. But I do find myself sneaking off way more then I should. "...messages we constantly hear in media entertainment, and advertising sound like this: "Your number one. Do your own thing. Your special. Find yourself." Such messages are so pervasive that we unconsciously absorb them and sometimes repeat them. Yet they are diametrically opposite from the message of the Savior..."He that findeth his life shall lose it:and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it""
I have become lazy in my duties and I know Heavenly Father gives us things like the Ensign to help us remember who we are and what we are supposed to do in our lives. I hope that now that I've been reminded I can stay reminded and help grow my family the way that Heavenly Father intended.

2 comments:

The Larsen's said...

Thank you!!!! I so needed that right now. I read that same article and thought the exact same thing. It's hard to be a good mom, when we feel torn between wife and mother and doing everything perfect and also so alone time. It's a hard balance, but it can sure happen with the Lord's help. Thanks for the reminder.

Jared and Allyson said...

Good post! Thanks for the reminder.