A couple of weeks ago, a friend recommended that I read a talk by my favorite Apostle. She knew that I've been struggling a bit with juggling my girls, school, and all the other motherly and wifely 'duties' I should be participating in and thought I could benefit from it.. The talk was given back in 1997 by Jeffrey R. Holland. At the time the talk was given, I was barely 9 years old. Obviously, I wouldn't hava gotten much out of it then, but as I read the talk a few weeks ago, it was alarming at ho the talk seemed to be written just for me. The entire thing is amazing, and I would suggest every woman (whether you're a traditional mother or not) to read it.
My favorite part is the last few paragraphs.
When you
have come to the Lord in meekness and lowliness of heart and, as one
mother said, “pounded on the doors of heaven to ask for, to plead for,
to demand guidance and wisdom and help for this wondrous task,” that
door is thrown open to provide you the influence and the help of all
eternity. Claim the promises of the Savior of the world. Ask for the
healing balm of the Atonement for whatever may be troubling you or your
children. Know that in faith things will be made right in spite of you,
or more correctly, because of you.
You can’t possibly do this alone, but you do
have help. The Master of Heaven and Earth is there to bless you—He who
resolutely goes after the lost sheep, sweeps thoroughly to find the lost
coin, waits everlastingly for the return of the prodigal son. Yours is
the work of salvation, and therefore you will be magnified, compensated,
made more than you are and better than you have ever been as you try to
make honest effort, however feeble you may sometimes feel that to be.
Remember, remember all the days of your motherhood: “Ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.”
10
Rely on
Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever. And “press forward with a
steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope.”
11
You are doing God’s work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you and He will bless you, even—no, especially—when
your days and your nights may be the most challenging. Like the woman
who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some
embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of
the Master’s garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and
wonder and sometimes weep over their responsibility as mothers,
“Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.”
12
And it will make your children whole as well.
Talk about a boost in my mothering self esteem. The talk is bookmarked on my computer and I pulled it up last night after a discouraging drive trying to get Lillian to sleep. These girls are kicking my butt, but I know that I am blessed to have them and I know that Josh and I aren't in this alone.
And that is a very, very comforting thought that I need to remember more often than I do.
Read the rest of the talk here.
Oh and by the way, I did draw a winner. I'm just waiting to hear back from the company before I post it. So...sorry about that. It should be up tomorrow!
