"The hand that rocks the cradle"

Lately I've been thinking a lot about mothers, and have been confused and frustrated with what I've been seeing of women.

A mother, to me, is a woman who has been given power that no one else in the world possesses. A mother is someone who is living the ultimate dream and experiences the ultimate of joy. What a privilege! What greater gift is there than motherhood (or fatherhood?) But particularly motherhood. To be entrusted with precious children. To be their co-creator, their protector, their nurturer, their teacher, their friend; the one who they can come to to feel loved and understood; the one who is always there for them. To witness the purity, the joy, the excitement, the love that only comes from mothering a child. And to have that be entitled to us as our biggest and most sacred responsibility is no small thing.

Not only is motherhood a tremendous privilege, blessing and responsibility (for what is worth more than a human soul, a human life, especially that of a child?), it also possesses great power; power that most people overlook. You can't ignore the truth of the words of W.R. Wallace who said, "The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world." The power and influence of a mother, as she teaches her children, is the power and influence that is the future of the world! This power does not come at a small price. This power requires all the time and attention a mother can give!

I have always dreamed of being a mother. I feel I have had my fair share of experiences and accomplishments in life. I have recieved an education from one of the best universities. And I feel the best way I can use that degree right now is as a mother, in my home with my children. I consider my greatest accomplishment that of being a mom. It wasn't until I became a wife and mother that I have been able to live my dream. There is nothing I have yearned for more! And I am only grateful I have had this priceless opportunity.

There is so much time in life to live, experience and accomplish. But there are only a few years when a mother has children in her home. These precious years are special years for mothers to raise, nurture and teach their children. This is the responsibility in which they have been entrusted.

Would I trade my husband for his job? No. He has an important job. We each need to do our part for the happiness and well-being of our children and our family. But trade him for his job? It is definitely a woman's divine role to be the nurturer of the children - all of nature points to it! It's a part of who I am. I wouldn't trade it for the world!

When I witness my children learning something new, there is a light in their eyes that is irresistable. There is nothing more satisfying than being an instrument in that process - being part of a soul receiving truth and enlightenment.

When I kiss the soft cheeks and hold the sturdy little hands; when I hug the little bodies, and feed the little mouths; when I create a smile, a memory, a sanctuary, for these little ones, there is nothing in this world that can compare with the satisfaction and divinity of this work. I feel so blessed every day, and I can't ignore the ache I feel when I think of ever having to give it up.

How could anyone want to give this up? There are those who do. I do not understand. There are those who go searching for another profession. What are they looking for? For power? For fulfillment? For self-worth? For freedom? For relief from boredom? Or to spend their days helping others...who are more important than their children? It's like finally getting the dream job, only to hire a substitute each day!....it doesn't make sense to me. All the noble and worthy jobs in the world are not more important to me than my precious children. I would never imagine finally acquiring my "dream" job, and then giving it up to someone else each day! Unless, of course, I had to.

There will be many years when I can chase my "dreams." But the years with my children are few. I would not give up this privilege to any nanny, daycare, or grandma in the world as long as I could help it. I would sacrifice much to be home with my children! There are many who do.

"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother," says Lin Yutang. Are we going to give up that right? In search for other rights we feel we do not have? Where are we going and what are we looking for when we leave our homes and children each day? How many of the precious few moments are we wasting? How much will we long for them back when we are finally "free" to pursue our "dreams"; when we are finally free to find "fulfillment"; when we are finally free to be "successful?"

How many of us mothers are giving up our greatest rights in pursuit of another? How many of us are giving up such divine power in search of power from the powerless? How many of us are giving up moments with our precious little ones so someone else can enjoy them? How many of us are sacrificing our childrens' longings to be with their mother, and their need to be taught, nourished and companioned, so that we can teach, serve, or work for others? Are the needs of others more important than our children's? And what child would not jump at the chance of spending each day with their mother?

I understand there are those women who long to be home with their children each day, but can't. I know those women are strong and God helps them and their families. But there definitely are those who make a choice. Why do they?

I love the words of Anne Campbell as she looked at her children:

You are the trip I did not take;
You are the pearls I cannot buy;
You are my blue Italian lake;
You are my piece of foreign sky.
(“To My Child,” quoted in Charles L. Wallis, ed., The Treasure Chest [1965], 54)

Mothers, come home. Your children need you. The world needs you - at home!

"Substance"

"The more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls."

~Spencer W. Kimball~

"One of the Deepest Yearnings of the Human Soul"

Elder Deiter F. Uchdorf said, "The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.... Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty."

When you look into a child's eyes when they have created something with their own hands, there is an expression of self-fulfillment and joy that is irresistable! And it testifies of the beauty of human life, experience and fulfillment.

"Everyone can create. You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty."

"remember that you are spirit [children] of the most creative Being in the universe."

"If you are a mother [or father], you participate with God in His work of creation—not only by providing physical bodies for your children but also by teaching and nurturing them."

"The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter."

"If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it."
(Elder Uchdorf)

“Progress, and improve upon and make beautiful everything around you. Cultivate the earth, and cultivate your minds." (Brigham Young)

"As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you."
(Elder Uchdorf)

Even if your creativity and talents are never used for the success of a major franchise, and aren't being sported down the latest runway, or even recognized by more than a handful of people. If you use your God-given creativity and talents to better the lives of a few - of those in your family, your children. Your influence is of infinite value. The power within each of us to create is endless, with God's help, and infinitely valuable for others as well as for ourselves!

Creating something with our own minds and hands is the one of the ultimate of human experiences. And is a God-given gift to us.

Rights, Freedom and Values

I think many people are confused. Many people, like me, believe in the constitution. They believe in freedom. And people are hesitant to start defining too much what one can and cannot do; worrying that it might start limiting the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, as human beings.

However, what we must remember is that amidst "freedom" there is still right and wrong. Yes, people should be free to speak, live, work, worship and learn how they will - but there is still right and wrong. The constitution is based on underlying fundamental values. Values must still remain in place. The constitution was created for this "one nation under God." The freedoms of our country are based on god-given values if which crumble, so will the freedoms and framework of our country.

We must speak up for truth and right. We must voice our values - as Americans and human beings. And be grateful for the constitution that still allows us to do so. As long as this country and government runs the way it's supposed to, the majority voice will be heard. Let's make that majority voice be one fighting, not only for freedom, but for right and truth, goodness and morality. Not to limit others' freedoms, but to allow the freedom that comes with truth and right! When someone is doing wrong, they can never be free anyway. And when a country is built upon wrong principles, it will fall.

(Will the day come when we allow someone to go around stealing, or killing because it's what they believe or it's what they prefer or what they are inclined to do?? Just a thought.)

Save Marriage and Family!

"We call upon responsible CITIZENS and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."
(The Family : A Proclamation to the World).

Don't be afraid to stand up for traditional marriage and fight for measures that will save the family! (See link The Divine Institution of Marriage ).

Quote of the Day

"Be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled, will disappear all too soon... and that you will, to your surprise, miss them, profoundly."
President Thomas S. Monson

I've been thinking a lot along these lines lately. A few months ago, I was staying with my mom, and my two boys (3 and 1) were running wild and crazy. I thought I had had enough being a mom for a while. Seriously considering ebay as a means of relieving myself of my two little "burdensome obligations," I was met by my mom with a smile on her face. She said, "Isn't it so much fun - you get to take care of these two cute little children. Think how lonely your life would be without them." Ever since then, I have tried to look at things this way. I absolutely ADORE my two little guys! And life WOULD be dull withought them! It's just I sometimes forget. It's usually at night, when they're asleep and I have a quite moment to contemplate, that I feel such a profound love for them and joy that comes with it. And I feel so BLESSED that I get to be their mother. To be a mother has been a lifelong dream of mine!

In truth, children are not stressful, irritating,difficult,tiring, or crazy - though I often turn them into that. They are fun, cute and wonderful beings who can bring so much joy to life!

Like Pres. Monson also said "Live in the present." Enjoy each moment, each day. And thank God for all the joy that can be found - especially in being a mom! It's true, as Elder Ballard once said, the time of having young children in your home makes up only about 1/10th of an adult's life! Enjoy it while it lasts!!

Love it. Take it in.

You will certainly have time later to fulfill the other "dreams" you have. But none will ever be so valuable as the one you are fulfilling now - being a mother.

So don't look forward too much to the time that will assuredly come when, along with all of your new-found freedom, you will "miss them profoundly."