Mom,
Let me set the scene this morning…..
I am sitting on the couch, towel still on head from shower, wondering if deodorant made it on my armpits, watching Broden enjoy his birthday present, enjoying Canon asleep (he is so mobile and loves everything in his mouth), my kids are gathered around reading books, never mind they are all going outside to play, John had to run out to fix a leak, and all I have thought about today is how grateful I am to be me and how much love I have for the life I have.
Let me list the things that I love:
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
John
My kids; Jax, Rylon, Eyrlin, Broden, and Canon
My parents, you and dad
My siblings, their spouses, and kids
My extended family
Everyone I have ever associated with I have found compassion or love for.
The color yellow, happiest color
Convertibles
Writing…Poems (by the way I found my book of all poems I have ever written)
Learning
The Temple
Scriptures
Smiling
Hugs
Music
Tender Mercies
Kindness
Laughing
Friends
Forgiveness
Newborn babies (so fresh from heaven)
Mountains
The list could go on but these things are more pressing as things that I love.
Mom, the things you love are:
ME!!
I think that’s it… right? Kidding. I don’t know if there is anything you don’t love, well, maybe certain political leaders but we wont go there.
Anywho, I read Pres. Monson’s talk, “Charity Never Faileth” and I love this talk. I seriously felt like after his talk I really didn’t care if I wore the same dress for weeks on end because I felt the confidence of knowing I was a daughter of Heavenly Father and nothing I wore would be a reflection of that relationship I had. I also felt that I should never shy away from the love I have for people whether they love me or not. Ok and one more thing, I felt a deep love for my Savior and how each of us have a different walk that we walk with him, and his outstretched hands never weaken towards us even when ours might at times.
“Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life.”
“Mother Teresa, a Catholic nun who worked among the poor in India most of her life, spoke this profound truth: “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” 5 The Savior has admonished, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” 6 I ask: can we love one another, as the Savior has commanded, if we judge each other? And I answer—with Mother Teresa: no, we cannot.”
“I consider charity—or “the pure love of Christ”—to be the opposite of criticism and judging.”
“It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others.”
“Charity has been defined as “the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love,” 12 the “pure love of Christ … ; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with [her].”
All of these quotes are from Pres. Monson’s talk.
Mom, you were a great example of this. No matter what you come to the defense of someone being criticized, I wish I were more that way. I don’t have the humbleness of it, I tend to get annoyed or angry by thoughtless comments about others. I have to tell myself to be quiet.
I chose this as a quality as a mother because of the example I set each day for my kids. It’s important to know that charity and compassion are a visible quality you can see in others, especially in your mother.
Mom, you are awesome!! I love how you look at people individually and love them for who they are. I love that no matter the offense you can forgive and feel compassion towards another.
My goal this week is:
1. LOVE
2. Write in my journal the things I loved the most that day.
3. Replace any negative or critical thoughts with love and kindness.
It is a small beginning to becoming more charitable towards our fellow travelers.
I love you!!
Kathy
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