I was a good mother to our kids when they were little . . . most of the time. However, when 7:00 pm rolled around it might as well have been midnight for Cinderella. Calvin often worked late in the evenings and wasn’t home so, like magic, when 7:00 would roll around I would turn into one cross, tired woman and would undo all the good mothering of the day.
One night I was especially frustrated with the kids. After they were in bed, I went to our bedroom –as far away from the kids as possible – and lay on the bed. I began to read my scriptures – expecting sympathy and ammunition to use against the kids the next morning. Instead it said, “Unless ye repent and become as a little child . . . ye can nowise receive (the kingdom of God).”
Zing. I was the problem, not them. That experience blessed our home.
Last week as we spent time with Ty and Michelle, it was easy to see why we should become as a little child. A little child . . .
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| Eliza, one, trying to carry her pumpkin to the wagon. |
. . is determined.
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| Ty helping Afton jump in a wagon of freshly picked cotton. No mattress could provide a higher bounce. |
. . . finds happiness in simple things.
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| Michelle and Eliza |
. . . is willing to submit and be loved.
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| Afton feeding Grandpa corn they found off the ground. |
. . . is quick to help.
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| Ty pushing Afton on the horse tire swing. She loves to go high, but she does not like for it to twist while she goes high. Horses twist. |
. . . boldly warns the world when there is danger.
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| Afton, Michelle, Ty, Eliza |
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| Ty and Afton at the County Fair |
. . . is filled with wonder and curiosity.
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| Michelle and Eliza |
. . . is unhurried.
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| Afton and Ty |
. . . brings others joy.
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| Calvin, Ty, and Afton at the County Fair. |
. . . is trusting.
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| Calvin |
. . . gives vitality and purpose to others.
Become as a child is the best "how to live a happy life" advice I've ever received.
7 comments:
You are the best, Jane. What a wonderful photo essay that everyone can learn from! Thanks. L&V
Oh my goodness. I LOVE this. It was especially meaningful for me to see this lesson taught with pictures of my own kids. Thanks for loving them, and thanks for reminding me how great they are. Love you.
What a good life you have Jayne. You have the Gospel; you have a wonderful husband; you have great children who married well; beautiful grandchildren; everyone is following the Savior; you have purpose, drive, energy, wisdom, intelligence, opportunities to go and do, (whether it is trips, or teaching, or writing, etc.) You exude with the happiness that the good and happy life brings and with that happiness you teach us so many principles. Thank you for being you and for sharing your life, your ideas, your example. Hugs.
This is pretty sweet. You should do a post like this with each grandkid. I love the picture of Eliza trying to carry her pumpkin and Afton and Ty on the roller coaster. What a great way to capture those two girls.
I love your family! I am sure that scripture doesn't mean when they are having a tantrum, or I am safe!
I love this. The pictures enforced all the wisdom you had to offer. I also love that you described yourself as undoing all the good you'd done during the day. I have often felt that way lately with Chad working late, and feeling exhausted on my own by the end of the day. It made me feel good that a mother I look up to in oh, so many ways has been there, done that, and worked hard to overcome it. :)
I’ve had these same thoughts a lot lately. I believe I am a mother in large part because it is the only way to learn how Heavenly Father wants me to be. It’s a humbling way to learn but I am thankful for the times when I recognize the lesson.
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