I grew up in a home with a very traditional mother.
She taught me the kind of woman I wanted to be.
She was home when I came home from school and had snacks ready.
She is the kind of mother I dream of being.
Loving, kind, faithful, supportive, fun...
Isn't she cute!
The other day I had a conversation with a co-worker/friend in which I ended it expressing my desire that my dream is to be a mother.
For years I have been preparing myself for the opportunity. Starting at a young age, being the oldest of 7 I had so many opportunities to care for and love my siblings.
Then on a mission I had the opportunity to teach others, to train new missionaries, to open my heart to new companions.
As I have had room mates, together we have helped each other improve our skills, such as cooking, preparing what we liked to call practice dinners.
Throughout the years I have strengthened my relationship with Christ and Heavenly Father, learning to depend on them in all situations.
I have had experiences that have taught me great things that will help me to be a mother through room mates, through boyfriends, through friends, through my family, through visiting teaching, and through serving in callings.
I have been thinking about Alma when in Alma 29 he declares: O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart. Yea I would...
But, I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.
I feel my cry is: O that I were a mother, and could have the wish of mine heart. Yea I would...
But, I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.
I have been thinking about Alma when in Alma 29 he declares: O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart. Yea I would...
But, I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.
I feel my cry is: O that I were a mother, and could have the wish of mine heart. Yea I would...
But, I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.
In the past year I have been realizing that I have become a non-traditional Mother. A mother that is not recognized by many or necessarily even celebrated. But a mother in every true sense of the word, a nurturer, a heart full of love, a sharer of my heart and knowledge...don't worry, I have my faults, and I reach moments of exhaustion.
This year I have learned to look at my experiences in a new light. I have loved being a visiting teacher and sharing my love and desire to sacrifice for another with them, I have loved teaching the 12 and 13 year old Sunday School class and loving them, I have enjoyed loving my friends, I have enjoyed sharing my knowledge and testimony with others. I have enjoyed holding babies. I have learned to recognize that I am overly blessed to be able to act with motherly qualities towards others.
I have thought of the parable of the talents how 1 man was given 5 another 3 and another 1. The men given 5 and 3 doubled their talents, while the man given 1 buried his. How important is it for me, even though I do not have children of my own to nurture and love, to double my talents that the Lord has blessed me with. I do not want to bury my talents because my circumstances are such that I need to search for opportunities to use them. I want to return to the Lord saying I did my best in every circumstance!
I recently read 3 Nephi 22 in a new light. I felt like it was speaking to one who has a heartache of some kind and saying break forth into singing, and cry aloud: you have reason to rejoice! The Lord says!
Then what I feel is my call: "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes." Basically open your heart, serve others, share my testimony, and help to strengthen those who I am around.
I have come to learn to live the dream I have of being a mother, while my circumstances do not permit me to be one in the traditional sense. I have come to ponder what things I can learn from the experiences I am given in life and how these lessons learned can apply in different situations.
This year I have learned to look at my experiences in a new light. I have loved being a visiting teacher and sharing my love and desire to sacrifice for another with them, I have loved teaching the 12 and 13 year old Sunday School class and loving them, I have enjoyed loving my friends, I have enjoyed sharing my knowledge and testimony with others. I have enjoyed holding babies. I have learned to recognize that I am overly blessed to be able to act with motherly qualities towards others.
I have thought of the parable of the talents how 1 man was given 5 another 3 and another 1. The men given 5 and 3 doubled their talents, while the man given 1 buried his. How important is it for me, even though I do not have children of my own to nurture and love, to double my talents that the Lord has blessed me with. I do not want to bury my talents because my circumstances are such that I need to search for opportunities to use them. I want to return to the Lord saying I did my best in every circumstance!
I recently read 3 Nephi 22 in a new light. I felt like it was speaking to one who has a heartache of some kind and saying break forth into singing, and cry aloud: you have reason to rejoice! The Lord says!
Then what I feel is my call: "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes." Basically open your heart, serve others, share my testimony, and help to strengthen those who I am around.
I have come to learn to live the dream I have of being a mother, while my circumstances do not permit me to be one in the traditional sense. I have come to ponder what things I can learn from the experiences I am given in life and how these lessons learned can apply in different situations.
You could still become the traditional kind too. But if you need more practice you can always come visit.
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