Dan and Amy: Important Decisions

I’ve been stumped the last few weeks. Life isn’t drudgery, but it’s same ol’ same ol’. Sometimes I flip through the pictures on my phone to remind myself of the things we did- because I honestly can’t remember. Then I remember that it was Abe’s birthday- he’s nine! And we had the primary program- it went superb and it’s so great to have it over with. And then I remember we had date night- first in weeks because we just never want to step out by the time we put the kids too bed. And beyond deciding what to make for dinner or the most exciting decision I made today was if I was going to keep my biannual hair appointment or take a nap. So here I sit, in a tiny salon at he top of a grocery store and I’m so excited to have someone else wash my hair. I know- very important decisions.
I did have an amazing experience yesterday. I caught a glimpse of the love these women around me have for their children. I sat on the stand for the primary program- a first. I have always sat in the audience. From the stand I could see so many parents- trying to catch a child’s eye or mouthing the lyrics to the primary songs. I was overwhelmed with a sense that God could somehow love them even more.
Mosiah 4:9
9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.
My thoughts have been consumed with this.
And this:
Mosiah 4:12
12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.

I have felt more this week that my responsibility to my children is not first to discipline them, nor to correct or criticize them, nor is it to get them to school or church on time! Though all good intentions- the most important thing I can do for these small children is to love them. And with that love- desire to have a portion of God’s love for them. And sooner than later as some are not so small anymore. 😕

I was chastened by the spirit after loosing patience with my son when I asked him to do something for the 17th(!) time. And immediately I felt the prompting to love him. Not only should I model good behavior- how to act responsively, to be honest, good manners at the table- but more importantly to model kindness and friendship.

It has been a great week. I am grateful for the desire to understand Gods love for his children. I am thankful for those he trust to my home.
I am thankful for the faith I have to act and hope.

Keep doing good. Do better today than yesterday. As President Monson said, “May we ever choose the harder right than the easier wrong.”