While attending my stake conference yesterday one of our area authorities spoke and he quoted a statement that struck home with me. He was talking about Lehi's dream and how "we live in the great and spacious building" and that we cannot afford to skip the little things. And now with the passing of the prophet Gordon B. Hinckley I sit back and reflect on his teachings and this insightful statement from stake conference.
Today's world is full of numerous "things to do" from checking your email to syncing your iPod to TiVoing your favorite show. There are just so many "things" that we think have to be done that a lot of things that are VITAL to our survival in this world are overlooked. It is the little things that we overlook that are vital to our overcoming the temptations that are thrown before us on a daily basis. It is the little things that we cannot afford to ignore.
As an example of this, I want to highlight family home evening. Being single and having no children I think of family home evening as just that "family" home evening. So, since I have no "family" I need not practice this spiritual activity yet. And yes, I understand that FHE is a common practice in a singles ward but I do not attend a singles ward currently. However, when I am in a singles ward I try to be an active member of family home evening but this is beside the point. The point I am trying to make is that family home evening is such a beautiful time. Yes, it is hectic and sometimes if not all the time, kids are not always that enthused, especially tweens and teenagers. But it is well worth the effort.
Yesterday, we had a hectic time organizing our family home evening with my two nieces and nephew. They and their mom are not members and my brother has been inactive for over two decades. We, being my parents and I, are trying to teach by example and help them understand the gospel better. So, naturally family home evening would be a perfect opportunity for such a thing to take place, outside of church. Growing up we were never that good at doing FHE but I would always try. However, as I got older my idea of FHE was going to the mall and having my parents buy me something from Claire's.
Anyways, we all feel that holding FHE with the little ones is vital to their understanding and though it is a small thing, it will play a significant role in their understanding and survival in this ever-changing world. It was the sweetest moment to watch my 5 year old niece conduct the music to her favorite hymn, "I Am A Child of God". And then to hear her big sister, who is 12 share how she turns down invitations to do activities on Sunday with her friends from school because she wants to go to church. I couldn't help but cry a little yesterday while this all took place before me. Not because I was sad but because I could see the power of the Spirit working on some of the people I love the most. It is a beautiful thing to witness, as many of us know first hand, and the beauty of it resonates deep in my soul.
I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for the opportunity each day I have to practice the small things and to share them with others, so that one day I will be able to return to the vast kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.
Today's world is full of numerous "things to do" from checking your email to syncing your iPod to TiVoing your favorite show. There are just so many "things" that we think have to be done that a lot of things that are VITAL to our survival in this world are overlooked. It is the little things that we overlook that are vital to our overcoming the temptations that are thrown before us on a daily basis. It is the little things that we cannot afford to ignore.
As an example of this, I want to highlight family home evening. Being single and having no children I think of family home evening as just that "family" home evening. So, since I have no "family" I need not practice this spiritual activity yet. And yes, I understand that FHE is a common practice in a singles ward but I do not attend a singles ward currently. However, when I am in a singles ward I try to be an active member of family home evening but this is beside the point. The point I am trying to make is that family home evening is such a beautiful time. Yes, it is hectic and sometimes if not all the time, kids are not always that enthused, especially tweens and teenagers. But it is well worth the effort.
Yesterday, we had a hectic time organizing our family home evening with my two nieces and nephew. They and their mom are not members and my brother has been inactive for over two decades. We, being my parents and I, are trying to teach by example and help them understand the gospel better. So, naturally family home evening would be a perfect opportunity for such a thing to take place, outside of church. Growing up we were never that good at doing FHE but I would always try. However, as I got older my idea of FHE was going to the mall and having my parents buy me something from Claire's.
Anyways, we all feel that holding FHE with the little ones is vital to their understanding and though it is a small thing, it will play a significant role in their understanding and survival in this ever-changing world. It was the sweetest moment to watch my 5 year old niece conduct the music to her favorite hymn, "I Am A Child of God". And then to hear her big sister, who is 12 share how she turns down invitations to do activities on Sunday with her friends from school because she wants to go to church. I couldn't help but cry a little yesterday while this all took place before me. Not because I was sad but because I could see the power of the Spirit working on some of the people I love the most. It is a beautiful thing to witness, as many of us know first hand, and the beauty of it resonates deep in my soul.
I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for the opportunity each day I have to practice the small things and to share them with others, so that one day I will be able to return to the vast kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.
3 comments:
Now that Vil and I are in charge it is admittedly so hard to be motivated and structured and strong for the family. At times it would just be so nice to have someone looking over our shoulders to remind us and tell us everything little thing to do, but I guess that's the beauty of agency and the gospel. No one outside of ourselves and God can make us change and become our very best. Though, it is always a big help to have good people in our lives. I love that your nieces know that song and have a general idea of gospel principles. You are awesome!
For a while there I was not looking forward to motherhood but as I grow older and remain single I do long for it. The opportunities I have to baby-sit and do activities with my neices and nephew make me realize how grateful I am to have family in my life. It also makes me excited to one day be a mother myself. All we can do is try and that's really all our Saviour asks of us, is to sincerely try. I'm by no means perfect at it but I'm learning that as I continue to try it gets a little easier each time. I love that we can connect this way...it's like we live right next door. Much love to you and your family.
Nila,
You are an awesome example to them! Thanks for sharing some of your experiences with them. Let me know what I can do to help besides praying for them:)
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