I just finished reading a great article in BYU Magazine titled "As For Years". The author encourages us to recognize that every stage of our lives is purposeful - even when we question why we might be going through a certain stage or wonder what the meaning of a particular challenge is. He talks about the Colesville saints and the Lord's commandment to them: I consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence; And the hour and the day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this land as for years, and this shall turn unto them for their good. [D&C 51:16–17] He writes that the Lord seems to want his people to be prepared, with equal grace, to build and leave temples, to accept both callings and releases, to live in the moment and for eternity. In this life the disciple must learn “to love that well which thou must leave ere long” (Shakespeare, Sonnet 73). I love that idea. Especially when I am feeling like I'm barely keeping my head above the water in raising my kids, running a home and being a wife. We are asked not to merely pass the time but to improve every shining moment, for eternity is composed of such fleeting moments. So here are three areas that I will celebrate more:
1) Allow Kate to help me more, even though she usually makes the mess bigger, the clean-up longer and my patience shorter. She will learn to love the things that I share with her and the truth is: I love watching her learn.
2) Celebrate Steve's job, even when it is so unpredictable. He loves what he does, he is providing for our family and that's all that matters.
3) Remember that a mother's mind is her children's classroom. Continue to do creative projects, even if they don't turn out exactly like I anticipated. It's the journey that matters most of the time - not the finished product. And that's an important lesson to teach my girls.
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