Truly Precious

There are few things in life that are truly precious. And most of the time they are the things we already have right there in front of us. Like the love of a good man or the hand of a brand new baby wrapped around your finger.

I started this blog years ago on a moment of inspiration. I felt that I was to use it to help lift others. I felt that I was to  brighten others with light and encouragement and inspiration. I look back and see that I have let a lot of things get in the way of that. I think that happens a lot to us. When something is the right thing to do we get tempted away from that and chase unworthy goals instead of remembering what is really important.

I have been so prideful. I have been chasing honor and recognition and praise from the wrong things instead of seeing the things that are most precious and pure. Motherhood is a literal gift from God and I have a good and honest husband who helps me and supports me more than I can ever fully appreciate. Why do I chase these other things?

I understand more clearly when Lehi was talking about in the Vision of the Tree of Life. That joy, that exquisite joy is the love you feel and give within your family. Tonight I am reminded of the perfectness of that joy and I wish with all my heart that I had not looked any further than the walls of my own home for the praise that I was seeking.

Here within my home everyone loves me unconditionally, and I need that because I make so many mistakes and foolish choices, probably daily. These girls of mine admire me and watch me. They want to be like me, and someday they will be, whether I am good or not. So I really better be good!

How can I remember this the next time that I am tempted? I feel like the world is bombarding me constantly with ideas and persuasions that say that being submissive is wrong, or that staying home is boring. I have been told that being "just" a mom causes a woman to lose her identity. But right now I and in similar moments of clarity which I have had, I see that when I am competing in the world that is when I am the most lost on what my identity is.

When I am home I know that I am a mother. I know that my children need me. They need me in every way, physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. When I am home I know that I'm the right kind of wife for my husband. In precious moments I know that I am everything that he has ever wanted and that truest me is all that he love to his very soul. He forgives me when I loose sight of my precious role and look to the world for my praise. He is there to welcome me back with love and acceptance after I have hung my head in shame because of the mocking fingers of those who are in the great and spacious building, then wandering away from the fruit that I have known.

Ladies, see yourselves for who you are in God's eyes. See how precious your life is right there in your homes. You are a precious daughter, your relationship with your husband is precious and your little ones are exceedingly precious.