Yesterday morning, when I was reading the scriptures I realized a new way that I can apply Abraham being asked to sacrifice Isaac to my own life. Isaac was a son who Abraham had waited and desired so deeply! And even then he was only blessed with one son (from his wife).
I think that when people have to work so hard to be able to have a child they are less likely to take for granted their children. I have never had a hard time getting pregnant. My children are so loved by me, but there are days when I feel that I do take them for granted. When I put them off to do something else, thinking that I will always have time with them later, but there is no guarantee to that!
So how does this all relate? Genesis 22:2 "And He said, 'Take now thy son, thine only son, Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah: and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.'"
If I had only had one child after suffering for years for it then surely I would have loved that child with all that I have to give. I should look at each one of my three girls just that way! If I only had one child, how limited my life would be. HOW BLESSED I am to have love for a child X3! My grandmother, Maurine Startup, used to say, "Happiness is grateful appreciation." Am I showing my Heavenly Father how glad I am that I have so many children to love? I must praise God each day for the blessing of my childrens' lives. Even on days when they are driving me crazy I can be glad that I have a child to drive me crazy, cause so many people don't.
When You Have Something To Love, You Have A Lot.
I need to be happy to serve them. As President Monson advises, "Don't be in a hurry." I need to stop and notice the little joys in life. The other night I needed to go to the store after dark. As I walked to my car I looked up and saw the beautiful dark night sky with clear stars. It made me stop in wonder. Then I realized that it had been 6 months since I had seen the stars. I am always stressing about getting my kids into bed on time that I don't stop to say, "Lets look at the stars tonight!" Sometimes it is the little things that are the most beautiful, it is the little things that are the most important.
The Lord giveth and He taketh away. Sometimes people are asked to sacrifice their children. Not physically of course, but if God takes them, they are expected to bare up their burdens and faithfully let God's will be done. My cousin lost her son, and I remember at the funeral thinking that I was never again going to yell at my kids. I felt how precious time is. Every moment counts! I didn't keep that promise, unfortunately I am human. But I do want to renew within me the hope that I can.
I know that God wants us to be happy in our motherhood. He wants us to be able to see all the little joys and enjoy them to the fullest! Greater love comes from loving more people more completely.
So perhaps for us it is not asked that we sacrifice our children for faith, but rather that we sacrifice ourselves for the faith that God has called us to do amazing work. Everyday a mother sacrifices her social life, her wants, her sleep, her comforts, her past dreams, her body, and her appearance for the children she loves.
So I challenge you to try to add up all the "little" things and add them to the blessings that you count, namely, your children.