I posted this picture before but thought it went well with this post. . .
About a month ago we had a really bad thunderstorm here. This storm came right after I had stepped out the door to go pickup Sammi from school. I had the kids in the stroller and I ran as if my life depended on it towards the school. It was a truly scary experience. There were flashes of light all around me, thunder shook the ground, and huge hail was pummeling me in the head. I made it to the school, unharmed, and out of breath. I was grateful to make it there.
That same day, and that same storm, happened to send a lightening bolt out of the clouds - which struck a mother walking out with her two children. She was thought dead, but she survived and amazingly and slowly she is recovering. Her children saw this horrid event happen. Her mother just happened to be with her and she performed life-saving CPR. As I was watching this morning on the news, they showed the lady's story and her progress. Tears streamed down my face as she said she is going to change her life now. She said she is going to slow things down, not run around all crazy, and she is going to be a mother to her four children - that is all.
I was struck as she spoke, she is very frail, and just came out of a coma. After getting struck by lightning she realized that the most important thing in this life is to hold tight to her children and family. All of the other things were unimportant. Jobs, material possessions, personal glory, etc. They can all be gone in an instant. No one ever looks back and says, "I wish I had more material junk, or spent more time at work, etc." It is always family time and relationships that are regretted.
I hope that it will not take a bolt of lightening for me to realize my role as a mother is the most important work I can do. That my family is what will provide true happiness in this life, and that all other things can be taken away in an instant. Family is the only thing that lasts forever and is worth investing in. I am grateful for that.
I believe a similar "lightening bolt" was felt when Sis. Beck spoke at General Conference about, "A Mother who Knows". Apparently, her talk has sparked some controversy with women in the church who do not agree with her. When she spoke I felt like pulling out my pom-poms and shouting, "You GO girl!" I was SO excited as she spoke. I was bursting with the spirit, confirming to me the truth of her most powerful words. What she said was true, and any woman who really knows, knows it. I loved every minute of it. :-)
I can be anything I want to be. I do not have to prove that to anyone, not even myself. I know it. So knowing that, and that anything is within my grasp - I choose to be the most important thing I can be, and that is (of course) a Mother.
Lots of love,
Mari
Right on Mari!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that "enlightening" (pun intended) story. How tragic. I hope that mother recovers and is able to take care of her children. I totally agree about not running faster than we have strength. Everyone has too much going on. What are the priorities? It's tough sometimes to fit it all in, but I'm grateful for parents who chose family first. Thanks Mom and Dad. I'm glad Dad never took a job (even though it would have paid better) that would have taken him away from his family at night or that would have had him travel. What a loving father we have. We all treasure the time we had and will have with you.
Sister Beck totally got two thumbs up w/ me! She said exactly what the sisters of the church and the world need to hear.
Press on!
Kary
Really? It caused controversey with women in the church? I would hate to be sitting at home disagreeing with anything said in Conference! That would not be a good position to be in. I prefer to be on the same side as the prophet, apostles, and general RS president! Even if I disagreed with something, I would try to get my heart and spirit back in harmony with the talk. I'll have to read her talk again. While she was speaking, I was in the kitchen rolling out sugar cookies. I remember thinking, "Well, at least I'm doing something 'homemaker'ish during this talk!
ReplyDeleteWhen the High Council member spoke in our ward he mentioned that there had been some controversy about her talk. I had not heard anything about it; however, I can easily see how it could have ruffled some mother-hen feathers. Some thought she was too blunt, harsh, etc. Not enough sweet with her sour, or something.
ReplyDeleteFor me, that is what I like. I am a huge Brigham Young fan. I love his no-nonsense way of speaking. Perhaps it is because I solidified much of my testimony (long ago) when I read the Brigham Young manual. I do not prefer sugar-coating. If I need to change (which I always do) I want to know what and how. No need to fluffy-puff it! ;-)
I love Sis. Beck, and I will raise my hand that much higher next time we sustain our leaders!