This is one of my favorite pictures! The sun is setting on this chapter of my life and I am glad this picture was taken because of Jana’s suggestion!
The time has come to share a wonderful post written by one of the people I don’t really know, but feel like I know because I read her blog posts often. I discovered this blogger (CJane) when I saw her on the Today Show talking about her sister, Stephanie (nieniedialouges), whom survived a horrific plane crash last year. Stephanie is now left with skin grafts and an inspiring outlook on life – maybe you saw her on Oprah last week? Her blog is quite amazing to read as well. The post cjane wrote yesterday put my feelings into words perfectly, it is entitled "A Heavy Meal"!Click here to check it out. She has an amazing writing style that I find extremely enjoyable! These sisters are making a difference in many lives as they share their day to day struggles by using their testimonies of the gospel (which they attribute to making it through another day). They have used their "fame" to do good and be missionaries in their own right.
When cjane talks about her fight from yesterday’s post- I recognized it. It manifested itself to me when I actually realized that I was fighting for the wrong team this past Monday.
Here is a condensed version of this particular fight: I have been trying to find more time to read – because you know how a mother’s personal time is sucked up by all of the necessaries that go to running a household! My justification came when I thought about how this book would be life inspiring and is such a good classic book, "To Kill a Mockingbird". How can I not make time for such good things? I started my fight, thinking that I deserved some time to read. I eventually started getting grouchy about it and became resentful of the necessaries (dishes, another meal, homework, sweeping the floor). Then a beautiful thing happened while folding laundry Monday and re-listening to conference talks. I heard Elder Bednar say, "In my office is a beautiful painting of a wheat field. The painting is a vast collection of individual brushstrokes—none of which in isolation is very interesting or impressive. In fact, if you stand close to the canvas, all you can see is a mass of seemingly unrelated and unattractive streaks of yellow and gold and brown paint. However, as you gradually move away from the canvas, all of the individual brushstrokes combine together and produce a magnificent landscape of a wheat field. Many ordinary, individual brushstrokes work together to create a captivating and beautiful painting. Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33). Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our own homes."
After hearing that for the second time, I realized (with some apparent divine intervention), "It is not time for reading – it is time for holding, playing, teaching, talking, and loving." This is the battle I’m in now…the reading can come later. Arming myself with the right weapons for battle is the key. Giving up something good for something better is a smart lesson in economics and mothering.
Comments:
Trevin and Stephanie said…
Thank, I really needed to hear this. We can have a party and watch “To Kill a Mocking Bird” I bought it thinking my kids would love it and it turned out to be too deep for their simple minds.
I hope I can keep this thought in mind for the next 10 years. Thanks. We are so blessed with what we have.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 10:45:50 PM
Bruce and Sharon said…
Good thoughts!! Time goes so quickly and soon you see that the kids are all grown up and you can’t really remember the bad times just the good time you spent being there with them. But some days are really a fight. Keep hanging in there.
Thursday, October 15, 2009 6:18:21 AM
michelle said…
Thanks for the reminder Jodi. I think we all get in that struggle and its good to look at what is really important NOW.
Friday, October 16, 2009 8:45:42 AM