Being different and becoming ONE.

Recently we have been talking about the apostle Paul and his teachings. I have been learning that it was not always easy for him to preach to those who disagreed with his beliefs. I love how he often tried to find a common ground with those he met. He loved them, appreciated their truth, and shared what he knew with them. I have often found people wanting to go head-to-head with me and try to 'prove' something about religious beliefs (or rather they have found me). Through some of these experiences, I have found that Paul's approach really works! It really is better to start with (and often end with) the truths you agree on if you want to learn from each other.

Some dear friends of ours attend a Baptist church. One morning, a few years ago, I ran into the husband on my way to a meeting for Primary (the Sunday school program for children at our church). During our conversation, I mentioned where I was going and he seemed really interested. He asked a couple more questions and then said, "You know, I think it's really great that you are willing to serve in your church so much... but that is not what will save you. You Mormons have got it all wrong- it is grace that saves, not what you do!"

I was feeling a little anxious in that moment. I didn't know what to say, or how to engage with him. I wanted to show Christlike love.... I wanted to be honest, but not contentious. I said a silent prayer and then had an inspired thought on how to share what I knew...

"I agree with you! It is grace that saves! I don't serve because I think it will save me, I serve because I love my Savior! I just don't feel like I am really accepting His love and grace in my life if I am not trying to do what I think He would do"

And it's true!! It is because of my love and gratitude for my Savior that I have a desire to serve Him. It is because I accept His role in my life that I have a desire to become more like Him, and minister to others as He did. Especially in Primary. ;) I just know the Savior would never pass up an opportunity to serve and care for His precious little children.

Recently we talked as a family about James 2:26. "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so Faith without works is dead." It is easy to say you believe in Christ. But when you really, truly believe in Christ, when you have faith and gratitude in His atoning power, it changes you. When you know that He is intimately involved in your daily life, and is the sole provider of your salvation, then sitting back and giving lip-service to Him just doesn't seem like enough. Service to Him and to God's children, covenants to become like Him, keeping the commandments He has given... these will not tip the scales of justice in our favor. They are not check-marks in some Heavenly to-do list. More than that, they are a sign of our love, gratitude and commitment to Him. When you love someone, it is easy to want to become like them.

What joy I felt as I bore testimony to this dear friend that not only do I believe in my Savior and His grace, but I was going to do my best to prove it as a sign of gratitude to Him! What tender mercies I felt as I realized that He was feeling joyful too. Then he agreed with me! He loved my reasons for serving. The conversation had quickly gone from a bit of a sneak attack, to a joyful sharing of faith... for both of us!

Not long after that, our friends invited us to attend a Sunday meeting at with their Baptist congregation. We were so grateful to attend and learn from their pastor and congregation. We learned some beautiful truths (for example, that the root of the word 'repent' literally means 'to turn back,' or to turn back to God), and loved spending time with our sweet, faithful, friends. We were able to learn and change for the better as we found common ground, and a little more one-ness in Christ.

What a blessing it is to know our Savior and to share good, uplifting truths with each other. We are not the church of Paul, the church of Apollos, or the church of Mormon... We are the body of Christ. And we need each other. I am so grateful that the spirit has seen fit to teach me that.

Deficits: Too many faults to save myself
Deposits: Grateful that Christ's grace makes up the difference, and that wonderful people help me to know Him better!
Balance: Richly blessed!


Bonus tidbit: A friend of mine shared this beautiful video, and I just love it! There is so much truth here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUT4trsrBCw&fbclid=IwAR0yKMP5z9y5RbXYv7EN--x0OlY6TepSdwzCLaZ2n9YtFsHhH3kQvYL0gfM&app=desktop

Pure Love

My baby boy is in the cutest phase right now. All I have to do is walk into the room and he will break out into the hugest grin. I don't have to coo or smile at him. I don't have to offer him fun toys. I can be talking on the phone, or doing dishes and I will look over at him and he will be staring right at me, with his face absolutely filled with delight.


I mentioned to my husband late one night that I can't remember ever being so adored for doing absolutely nothing. I told him,
"I don't think anyone has ever been so ecstatic just because I exist."

Almost as soon as I said those words the Spirit mercifully reminded me that he is not the only one who feels that way.

My heart was filled with that beautiful, pure love that only God can give. He loves me just because I exist. That love is not influenced by anything I do or don't do. His love for me does not change because I sometimes drive carpool in my pajamas. It is not influenced by me routinely falling asleep during my scripture study in this phase of sleepless nights. As President Thomas S. Monson said, "It is simply always there."

That message is one that this new, tired mama definitely needed to hear. I'm so grateful that He knows me and loves me.... Even when I'm falling short (and feel like I'm falling apart). What beautiful, divine hope He gives. Where else could we ever find a peace like that?

Deficits: Struggling!! 😬
Deposits: Beautiful, beautiful, LOVE!
Balance: Richly Blessed!

Love is Spoken Here

I love this quote from Peggy O'Mara. I'm actually not sure who she is, but I love it just the same.
"The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice." I have been thinking about this a lot lately.  How do I want that voice to sound?

I am not a big yeller... (something I have worked really hard at), but just because I don't yell doesn't mean my voice is always positive. And this makes me so sad.

I know, I know... I'm a mom. I can't just be positive all the time.

"Hitting your sister again? Well, you sure are building up your arm strength, aren't you?" OR "The 13th outfit you tried on today didn't work either? No rush, just take your time. It's cool if we miss the Sacrament today."

I'm sorry, but some of those teaching moments just can't always sound sugary sweet.

That being said...

I can do better. I need to do better. I want my voice (and my children's inner voices) to start sounding a lot more like the Savior's voice.

Instead of a voice of disappointment, a voice of compassion.
Instead of a voice that criticizes, a voice that teaches.
Instead of a voice that threatens, a voice that encourages.
A voice of unconditional love that helps them understand their incredible worth.

Especially when they are scared, or lonely, or discouraged.
Especially when the voices around them are not very loving.
Especially when they make mistakes.


A few nights ago I sang the song, "Love is Spoken Here," to one of my kids. I couldn't even get through it.

"I see my mother kneeling, with my family each day.
I hear the words she whispers, as she bows her head to pray.
Her plea to the Father, quiets all my fears,
And I am thankful, love is spoken here."

The truths in this songs sunk deep into my soul. I realized that the Lord wanted to use me as a tool to speak peace to my children's hearts. I realized that my words, my prayers, and my love, can help the Savior to calm them in the raging storms they face. What a powerful motivation to speak words of love to them!

And then came a sweet tender mercy.
My brother came to town and we decided to take the kids to a nearby amusement park. My son (who just barely met the height requirement) wanted to ride one of the BIGGEST, scariest, rollercoasters at the park .... sort of.
He kept changing his mind. He finally decided to do it, then turning to me said, "But Mom, will you please sit by me on the rollercoaster?  I feel safe when I'm with you."

And he held my hand the whole. entire. ride...

What a beautiful blessing to know that I can help create a safe place for my sweet children's little hearts. I hope they always feels safe when they're with me. And eventually I hope they realize that they don't need me to feel safe, because they can always be safe in their Savior's loving arms. If I do my job right, I know that they will.


Deficits: Still working on making that voice of love more consistent.
Deposits: Being used a vessel for the Lord to bring peace to others.
Balance: Richly Blessed!

Following the Pattern

Believe.

Love.

Do.

It's a beautifully simple pattern for discipleship, and for reaching out to others ads well (as was recently taught by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf).

Our family chalkboard had been blank for a few days, so I decided to put up this reminder of how simple it is to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I even snapped a quick picture... and it turns out that I was glad I did...

Immediately after I wrote these words, my kiddos thought about them, internalized them, and began showing Christlike love and compassion for each other.....

Hahahahaha! I wish! (Did you really believe that??)

In actuality? They started arguing within minutes. (Not because of my chalkboard art... although I was tempted to think so as their timing was impeccable!)

After quite a lengthy squabble with many warnings and  no foreseeable resolution, I sent them to their rooms for some quiet time. My son was not too happy about this decision, and when the time for his release came, he was still pretty pouty. So pouty that in his agitation he decided to erase the words I had written from the chalkboard... At least the ones he could reach. ha!

I asked him if he knew what had happened to the chalkboard. First he denied his participation. Next, he blamed it on other siblings whose heights did not match the crime. Seeing no way out, he finally fessed up, but was obviously ashamed. I sent him to brush his teeth and asked him to think about this choices while he was brushing.

 A few minutes later, our chalkboard looked like this...

I love it.

And I mean LOVE it.

In fact, I love it even more than my own.

I love it because he tried so hard to follow the pattern that I set, even though it was difficult for him. I love it because it is a manifestation of his sincere remorse and earnest desire to make things right. I love it because, despite the fact that he had made some mistakes, he offered me his very best. I love it because it came from him, and I am just so grateful that he loves me enough to try. (And I told him so!)

After cherishing this beautiful art for a couple of days, I realized that I also love it because it reminds me of how much my Savior loves me.

I am striving to follow the perfect pattern my Savior has set for me, but so often (so very often) my version just doesn't measure up. My version sometimes looks crooked and blotchy. There is evidence of past mistakes and sometimes it might even be hard to decipher what exactly I'm trying to do. But deep down I know that He loves it, and I know because He tells me so. The feelings I receive in my heart as I use the Atonement in my life tell me that even though I stumble, even though I am still working on getting it right, He is grateful that I love Him enough to try. He loves my sincere efforts and He loves me.

So this is my application of that quote from Elder Uchtdorf:
 
Believe (in Him)
Love (Him enough to try)
Do (my best to follow His pattern)

What a beautiful pattern. What a beautiful reminder that I don't have to be perfect, I just have to love Him enough to keep trying. I am so grateful for my Savior's patience with me and his acceptance of my imperfect offerings. What a blessing it is to have the love of Christ in my life!


Deficits: I am not perfect!
Deposits: I know that my Savior loves me!!
Balance: So Richly Blessed!