I have a lot to blog about, but today is not going to be the day that it gets done. Since I use this as my "Journal" I wanted to record some thoughts that I have been having. This Sunday we had a Regional Stake Conference. It was really awesome and uplifting, we heard from Elder Grow of the Seventy, Barbra Thompson the second counselor in the Relief Society Presidency, Elder Hales, and President Monson. The overall thing that I felt so strongly was how simple the gospel really is. As I listened to these general authorities speak, they didn't say anything earth shattering or new, they just reiterated the basic principles of the gospel. Allan and I teach the 12-14 year old Sunday School class in our ward and every week we ask at least one question that the kids rattle off the "seminary answers" of: pray, read your scriptures, have FHE, keep the commandments, do service, listen to the prophet, etc. It really is that simple, that's what we need to know, straight from the mouths of prophets.
I had a similar experience last month at General Conference. As I listened I felt the spirit instruct me as an individual, but as I looked over my notes, I noticed the talks covered: instruction for priesthood holders(men), duties of members of the church, faith, instruction for women, families, scripture study, service, keeping the commandments, prayer, repentance, etc. Again, the basic principles of the gospel.
Here is the big question I had to ask myself, if it's so simple, why don't I do all of the things I need to do each day? The only answer I can give is that I have not made following the gospel a high enough priority in my life. I get so busy with the daily tasks of cleaning, cooking, and taking care of my children that the important things sometimes fall through the cracks. I feel like I am a good member of the church, I go to church every week and I don't do anything inherently wrong, but it seems like I go through spurts of being dedicated to prayer, scripture study, FHE, temple attendence, visiting teaching, and other day to day habits. I try to teach my children the gospel and be a good example for them, and I am so grateful that there is so much support in this endevor from family and their church leaders and teachers each week. I feel like there is so much more I could do though to be a more dedicated follower of Christ.
As I listened on Sunday, I jotted down some of the things that I felt like I could do better at in my life, (I am sure I didn't catch them all since I was sitting with 5 children) but here are the things I am going to work on making a priority every day:
Prayer
Scripture Study (individual and family)
Reading my Patriarchal Blessing
Following the Prophet
Reading the words of the Prophet
Pondering
Being more Obedient
Teaching my children about Jesus/the Gospel
Family Home Evening
Temple Attendance
Taking full advantage of the Sacrament
Seeking and Developing Gifts of the Spirit
Having a Gospel Centered Home
Service
Visiting Teaching
Now, obviously I am not going to do all of these things every day, but mostly I want to think about them daily and focus on how to make them more of a priority in my life. I think I will print off a copy of the list so that I can have it out somewhere and see it everyday. I am so grateful for the influence of the gospel in my life and for the ability to repent/re-evaluate and improve myself, I know I am not perfect and that is okay as long as I am trying to be better.
2 comments:
What a great post! I think we all go through that roller coaster of doing great at living the gospel and then slacking off a little at some things. I wish you could have been at our Relief Society meeting on Thursday, it really went right along with some of those things you said in your post. Good job on refocusing and remotivating yourself--and those of us reading your blog.
I think we all ebb and flow with our dedication to the everyday spiritual. I found a quote by Faust (read his talk in the Nov. 2005 Ensign), but this gives me a lot of hope. He said, "Occasionally, however, you are too hard on yourselves. You think that if your offering is not quite perfect, it is not acceptable. I tell you, however, that if you have done your best, which you usually do, your humble offering, whatever it may be, will be acceptable and pleasing to the Lord."
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