The power of moms

When I was a teenager, I learned at church one Sunday that mothers had the power and responsibly to bring the spirit into their home. My mom wasn't very excited when I brought up that little nugget of wisdom right in the middle of a moment when all of us were driving her crazy :). I think she cried in frustration, "and that's another thing!  Why does everything depend on me?!"  She laughs about it now, especially since I'm carrying that responsibility in my own home with 5 little giants clambering for love, attention, validation, justification, vindication, mediation, education, inspiration, homework help, piano help, food, drinks, diapers, naps, songs and bedtime stories AT THE SAME TIME.  

That fact is written in my heart, though.  So every time I fall short in that divine responsibility I feel it.  I've been praying for help and inspiration and have found it in so many places:

--in the temple.  God divided light from darkness.  Even though our earth and our bodies need the night to rest, there is no place for spiritual darkness--anger, criticism, sarcasm, impatience--in our home. And ridding our home of it is as simple (not easy, but simple) as the Lord's task was for Him. I decide how I act and react. And when I seek light, I find it.  And because I am the mother, it fills our whole home. 

--in prayer.  I cannot pray a lie. I cannot justify my weaknesses to Him who created me, who knows me and loves me perfectly, and who wants and works for my eternal happiness above all else. So when I pray for help, I am gently, lovingly, but with no sugar-coating shown how I can change my own heart, my own words, my own actions to make our home the sacred place it has to be. 

--in the scriptures.  We read as a whole family before bedtime, but while the kids eat breakfast every morning I read to them from the Book of Mormon. As I read aloud the truths that have changed my heart before, it is softened again. Every time. I explain to my crazy little angels why I'm crying, why these truths are so important to me and how much they have helped me as I live them. I am reminded of how much The Lord has always helped me and how he will never fail me and I testify that he will never fail them.  That kind of power has saved many a morning from a would-be frantic and crazy mom. 

--good books.  CS Lewis, parenting books, The Robe.  They all make me think and re-examine my motives and methods.  "Oh yeah, take the emotion out of discipline."  "That's right, he is knocking down walls in my heart to create something more glorious than I can imagine."  "Is this the most important thing I should be spending my time and energy on at THIS moment?"  

How thankful I am for the blessings and divine help waiting for me when and wherever I seek them with real intent.  It's a great day to be a mom :)