Family is a WORK of FAITH

I admit it!  I am an occasional facebook stalker, actually, I am really more of a people stalker.  (I wrote that in hopes of adding a bit of credibility not creepiness).  Let me explain.  My dad loved to go shopping with us.  However, he did very little shopping.  He would take us to the mall and then find a comfortable bench and OBSERVE.  When we finished shopping, we would go and find him.  By that time, he had found a family to watch and had figured out their entire story.  We would sit down and he would recount his observations and assumptions to us.  It was quite entertaining, and I adopted the habit. 

When Jared and I go out to eat, I find  myself listening to the people in the next booth or reading lips from across the room.  People fascinate me!  So when I check my facebook, every once in a while I get lost in looking at friends of friends and strangers alike...Tyring to figure out their story.

This weekend I happened upon a stranger who I felt great empathy for.  And although she will probably never read this post, it is for her!   She had just had her first baby, and was feeling a little EMPTY as a result of going from a profession to full-time motherhood.  It was obvious that she loved her baby, but she just wasn't sure she loved everything else.  To say the least, I could relate. 

Ally, my firstborn and only girl, was born in the year 2003.  I had her on May 26th.  That day I ended a 5 year teaching career.  Those five years were filled with success, sharp looking business suits, awards, and many opportunities.

As the nurse placed her in my arms, I had, as I have with all of my children, the distinct impression that only God could have created something so entirely perfect.   About a month later I remember being in the car with Jared and the tears started to come...."I hate my life.  My mind is dying.  And I am tired."  There were no more business suits (who could fit into them anyway), definitely no recognition, and  I thought that all of my opportunities had died.   But over the last 8 years, I have been patiently tutored by a Loving Heavenly Father to really figure out what life is all about.  Let me explain. 

When I held her in my arms I knew that Heavenly Father had given me a great gift.  But after dozens of sleepless nights, diapers, LAUNDRY (7 lbs of baby produces 7 tons of dirty laundry), Heavenly Father left the picture.  And what was I left with?  Diapers, laundry, and sleepless nights that held absolutely NO PURPOSE. 

There was only one solution to this entire mess.  Put HEAVEN back in the picture and realize that if Family was ANYTHING, it is a WORK OF FAITH.  We believe that:  All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.

I had gotten so caught up in my daily temporal hardships that my "spiritual fireplace mantel" now contained a picture of a sink overflowing with dishes, and not one of DIVINE DESTINY... Fast forward 8 years.....3 weeks ago I was sitting in Sacrament Meeting and I had a distinct impression.  I have no idea what the speaker was saying, but I heard (felt) "You will preach the Gospel throughout the world."  WHAT?  I thought? The impression continued.  I saw my boys in suits and name tags, and Ally holding a child. 

Whether you think the divine destiny of your child holds missions, it matters very little.  Every parent knows that packaged within that little baby is something that COULD BE GREAT.  However, the process of unwrapping it is SLOW, TIME CONSUMING, AND DOWN-RIGHT HARD.  But my advice to you dear facebook stranger is HOLD ON.  You can help unwrap the BEST package if you will just HOLD ON.  The work of family is a work of FAITH.

I truly believe that mothers are the most powerful people on earth (every time I say that I feel like donning a cape and embroidering the letter M on my shirt).  When heaven is on our side we mold people.  People that shape future families, communities, the world.   I have finally come to realize that what others may see as meaningless and mundane holds worlds without end of importance.  I will leave you with my new favorite quote and hope the airwaves are kind to us and that this post finds you.....holding on!

“Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.”