I gave a talk on a talk by President Uchtdorf entitled "Of Things That Matter Most" in Sacrament meeting back in February, then I'm pretty sure there was a miscommunication (or I just did a really bad job) because another person spoke on the same talk about a month later. Then, a few weeks ago we had several speakers speak re: this subject and it finally hit me -- OH they mean ME!? So, three lessons later I think I might have scratched the surface of a lesson I needed to implement in our home.
For those of you that know me well, you know I'm a hustle and bustle kind of girl. Somehow it makes me feel important in my roles as a Mom, Wife, Friend, Sister, and Daughter. I think I am finally realizing that I can still be that hustle and bustle girl, I just need to direct it in the BEST direction I can. In my season of life right now I feel like my best direction is headed toward "whatever will keep my kids doing their best and making the best choices they possibly can in all areas of their life" Um, yeah, that some serious hustle and bustle right there.
A few weeks ago we were faced with sign-ups. Soccer, football, base ball, swimming, guitar, etc. Not only was it going to be expensive but I could see the miles racking up on the car, the number of nights that we didn't have family dinner, the number of conflicts in our schedules, the amount of games that dad couldn't be to -- all these things swirling through my mind. On the same hand, I didn't want to deprive the children of being able to have those extra curricular activities that we had always enjoyed watching them learn and grow at.
I emailed the football coaches, I got information for the baseball season -- I was ready to head into it full stream -- when this talk came to my mind. What is BEST for our family?
It seems that at this time of life for us, it's best that we do as Elder Dallin H. Oaks said “We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.”
Middle school and High school activities are starting along with Scouts and Activity Days, Young Mens and Young Womens. I just think that if we slow down now we will make it through these future years a lot safer. This analogy is always in my mind as well:
"What do you suppose pilots do when they encounter turbulence? A student pilot may think that increasing speed is a good strategy because it will get them through the turbulence faster. But that may be the wrong thing to do. Professional pilots understand that there is an optimum turbulence penetration speed that will minimize the negative effects of turbulence. And most of the time that would mean to reduce your speed. The same principle applies also to speed bumps on a road.
Therefore, it is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions. "~President Uchtdorf
You may see us running around ragged here in a few months when I forget all of this -- but for now...we are slowing down and trying to"steady the course" Wish us luck!:)
5 comments:
This is great advice. More and faster do not always mean better. We can waste time by trying to crowd so much into every hour that we fail to realize why we are even here. One of our former stake president's asked us to ask certain question when we are confronted with these busy,busy times. "What does it really matter in the eternal scheme of things?" An honest answer to that question will help us stay the course and not look back having experienced "much ado about nothing."
Love you all and always,
Grandpa Bart
I totally understand what you are saying in this post! I have been thinking a lot about this too in our own family. We have been running around in circles since school started. I just want to spend time with my family and be able to talk to them about their day at school and be there for them! So I hope I can do a better job at this too! Because family is so much more important than anything outside of the home!
You and I have had this conversation and it's a subject I battle with mightily. This is the first season in 3 years that we have more than one person (if any) playing a sport. I question the advisability of this, know I will be driving around crazy, but some skill development and learning to be on a team at this point seemed prudent. I'm trying to be wise. This balance thing is so tricky and such a prayerful endeavor and ever changing, because I believe that those three years of mostly sports free seasons was the right thing then. But, I am envious of your free Saturdays right now!
I typed that quote up and put it on our fridge the day the general conference talks were posted on line... it was totally for me. I loved your reminder. I totally get the concept and want harmony in our home but for some reason it's SO HARD to simplify and find that perfect balance... and my kids are still pretty young.
Look at Julie Beck's article in the Sept. Ensign. She quotes I think the 8th RS general Pres. as saying something very similar to the sisters. It applies to all of us at all stages of our lives. And as your friends say it takes constant surveillance or we get caught up the "turbulence" again!
BUT so important not to with our children. I see the difference with the teens I teach.
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