Seeing ourselves and others as a Child of God

If you follow @abundantlife30 on Instagram, and have been following our April 2016 General Conference Talk challenge, you know that we recently studied Elder Hallstrom's talk,

I Am a child of God


As I studied Elder Hallstrom's talk, my thoughts reflected back to one of the races I completed some years ago. Due to just having given birth to a baby and many church and family commitments that seemed to drain most of my energy, I was tired. To add to this,  I  also had 50 pounds of baby weight to lose this time around, and added chronic pain, which made training for this particular race was so very very hard. 

I plugged along every day and had to talk myself into continuing the training plan, wondering if I really was the runner that I told myself I was.  When I went to pick up my race packet and race shirt, I noticed that the official race shirt that was handed to me simply said  "Runner."

(Very) bright and early the next morning, I loaded a bus and drove what seemed like too long of a distance to be our race course. As I got off the bus and looked around at my racing partners, I was overcome with the feelings I had as I looked at everyone around me wearing the word, "Runner." 

Even though I didn't know most of these people, or anything about their struggles, I sensed a great respect for them in this race, because I knew what I had been through to get to the race. I imagined that while their stories where different from mine, that they, too, had had many challenges and pitfalls during their training. 

In the moments that followed, In my mind's eye, I saw each of those people wearing shirts that simply said. "Child of God." I realized that each and everyone one of these people were indeed a Child of God, and I had immense and almost overwhelming  respect for them because of not only WHO they were (a runner) but more importantly WHOSE they were.

This was a life-changer for me. It helped me to see others as God sees them. Now as I get frustrated with or hurt by someone, It helps me if I imagine them wearing a "Child of God." shirt. I am then able to see them for who they really, have insight about their inherent worth, and serve them an added measure of love.

#abundantlife30 #generalconferencechallenge #ldschurch #ldsconf

Mothers Day Challenge Day 5

Quality 5: Mothers Have FAITH

Alma 56:47-48

 47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

 48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

The story of the 2,000 stripling warriors led by Helaman is one of my favorite scriptures stories. These young men had never fought, yet they had total trust in Heavenly Father because their mothers, in total faith had taught them, not just by word, but by example.

What a testament to influence of righteous mothers. 

We are so blessed to have so many faithful women in our Church!

#abundantlife30 #ldschurch #mormon #mothers #motherhood

Link to this story of the 2,000 stripling warriors is in my profile.

Happy Mother's Day from my family to yours!

Mothers Day Challenge Day 4

Quality 4: Mothers develop CHARITY

Talk: Daughters of God

By, Elder M. Russell Ballard

"There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood."                           - Elder Ballard

It is important to note that Elder Ballard titles this talk to include all women of the Church-ALL of the daughters of God. 

Mothers, and all who mother, have the unique opportunity to work towards developing the Christ-like trait of charity. Working with young children who rely on mothers for almost everything can definitely try one's patience and energy reserves.

Yet, as we mother our children, and children in the realm of our influence, we can, with the help of the Lord, develop charity for them.

Young mothers, please take time to listen to this inspired talk. Elder Ballard gives some powerful and heartfelt insight that applies to you. And I love how he cheers us on in this journey!

#abundantlife30 #ldschurch #mormon #mothers #motherhood

Mothers Day Challenge Day 3

Remember our April General Conference talk challenge begins again Monday.

Quality 3: Mothers are DIVERSE and appreciate the DIVERSITY of all covenant-keeping women

Talk: Are We Not All Mothers?

By, Sister Sheri L. Dew

"Motherhood is more than bearing children. … It is the essence of who we are as women.

As mothers in Israel, we are the Lord’s secret weapon. Our influence comes from a divine endowment that has been in place from the beginning." -Sister Sheri Dew

I love this talk about motherhood because it is so tender and heartfelt, but also because it comes from a wonderful and talented Church leader, who has not yet had a chance to marry or bear children-yet look at the many people she has mothered!

Righteous women are diverse! Some are single, and some are married. Some have no children, some have adopted, and others have given birth to their children.  We come from different family situations, levels of education, languages spoken, and financial opportunities. We have diverse  strengths and weaknesses,  experience various trials and have unique talents.

Despite these differences, we all have the same unified goal-to do our best to live righteous lives and to return to live with our Heavenly Father again.

The key is to appreciate our differences. We can either choose to envy those with situations and talents we want, and criticize those with situations different from our own, or we can look for the commonality among us.  We are all daughters of God.  Unified women are play a critical role in the Church as we help set the example for our own children, children in our extended families, and all children in the realm of our daily influence.

I envision righteous women collectively as being flowers and trees in the beautiful garden of our Heavenly Father. We are daisies, tulips, violets, forget-me-nots, and strawberry blossoms. Each offering our own unique beauty, fragrance and contribution. None is more important or beautiful than other, and collectively, we better the world.

#abundantlife30 #ldschurch #mormon #mothers #motherhood

Attachments area

Mothers Day Challenge Day 2

Quality 2: Mothers NURTURE with Unconditional Love

Talk: Mothers Who Know

By, Sister Julie B. Beck

"To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow...Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work. Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women." -Sister Beck

As one who loves a clean and orderly home, it took me a few years of mothering to learn that my first priority shouldn't be following my little children around all day and cleaning up after them. Dirt happens, milk spills and dust collects daily. Cleaning will always be part of what we do as mothers, but it's not the most important of tasks.  Instead, I have realized that it is my calling as a mother to place priority on spending time playing games, reading to, laughing with and listening to my children-nurturing them one-on-one and collectively.

Yes, I still love a clean home, but with 4 young children, it seems impossible most days. I have learned to focus more on memories made and love expressed, instead of getting frustrated that I can't seem to stay organized or keep my bathrooms spotless. 

I love Sister Beck's perspective that "Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women."

How does it benefit children when mother's place priority on nurturing the special spirits in their care?

#abundantlife30 #ldschurch #mormon #mothers #motherhood

Mothers Day Challenge Day 1

Quality 1: Mothers are STEADFAST

Talk: Behold Thy Mother

By: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

I took this picture while on a vacation to Hawaii, at a tourist lookout, popular for it's views of the crashing waves against the rocky shoreline.

While most of the tourists were excitedly taking photos of the surfers and boats IN the ocean, I was fixated on something ON the little hill that was receiving little, if any attention from the other tourists-this Lighthouse.

I couldn't help but think of how important this little lighthouse was to all who were adventuring in the waves, both day and night. This lighthouse, while seemingly insignificant to most, was of the utmost importance, to those it was leading back home to safety.

My thoughts turned to the many righteous mothers, who steadfastly and determinedly plant themselves on a sure foundation and guide their children back to safety amidst the perils of the world. Thesemothers make many personal sacrifices, many times docking their own boats for a season so they can remain stalwart, watchful of, and focused on their little boats.

We are so blessed to have such mothers, and while they might not receive the praise and social status that the world has to offer on social media, Heavenly Father "likes" their efforts a million times over.

How does it benefit children when mother's remain steadfast on the solid ground of gospel principles and shine the Light of Christ to those in their care?

#abundantlife30 #ldschurch #mormon #mothers #motherhood

Mothers Day Reading Challenge

I have felt so impressed to take a small break from our daily LDS General Conference Talk Challenge to focus on and celebrate the magnificent role of mothers and women everywhere. Starting today, we will study what our Church leaders say about each of these divine traits every day until Mother's Day.