Sabbath Thoughts on Motherhood and Children

So, as many of you know, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly referred to as the Mormons. Each month, one Sunday is set aside for the bearing of testimonies. This gives an opportunity for any member, from the littlest to the oldest, long time member or brand new, to come up and share the things they know to be true.

Today, we had a wonderful meeting with lots of powerful testimonies. Near the end, I felt impressed that I needed to share something I learned to be true this week. I hesitated, as I'm sure many other members have done, thinking. "Oh, it's not that important. I won't get up." But it kept nagging at me. Finally, I went to stand up, right as our Branch President (layman leader of our congregation) stood up to close the meeting. I had lost my chance. But then I got thinking, if it was important for me to tell, I could always add it to my blog. ;) So here we are.

This week, I had a horrid mom moment. I won't get into too much of the details. What you need to know is: pregnant mother trying to be productive in her home, ends up having to clean up two big soapy messes in a short amount of time instead of doing the work she was going to do, much yelling and angry feelings. Right in the midst of this, my eldest, who is in kindergarten, came up to me in the bathroom and handed me an envelope. On it, in his best spelling, he had written "I luv Mom so much Luv Oakley". I started to cry and just held him. At this point he said to me, "You usually comfort us." I told him it felt very good to be comforted by him in that moment.

So, two things came out of this. The first was a testimony of something one of our world leaders had taught at our general conference we had had just the previous weekend. He said this - "In stressful moments—perhaps when you are chasing little ones and a charred smell from the kitchen informs you that your lovingly prepared dinner is now a burnt offering—know that God sanctifies your most difficult days." Now, to sanctify means to make holy. This was most definitely a difficult day for me. In and amidst the frustration and the anger and hurt I was feeling, God was able to work through my 6 year old to bring some peace and holiness back into our home. It was huge!

The second point I now have a testimony of is Christ's guidance to become as little children. Many times I have heard that and many times I have thought about all of the difficulties that come with children. They don't always listen to me, they fight with each other, they whine, cry, throw tantrums, and the list continues. But my sweet boy was way closer to my Savior on that day than I was. He was meek, full of love, patient with his imperfect mama, and had a desire to serve. All of those things have been manifest time and time again, among other Christlike attributes, in all of my children and I hope to be like them some day.

May we all strive to be as little children, to love a little more, forgive quickly and be kind, especially to those who we feel may not deserve it (like this mama on that day). And for my fellow mamas, God does sanctify our most difficult days! Keep going.