The Big M

When I was at BYU, I went home to Sugar City to visit. I attended Relief Society in my home ward. They started talking about dreading and dealing with the "Big M".

Of course as a single young adult I was thinking the "Big M" was Marriage. Well, turns out they were talking about Menopause.

Once I realized the miscommunication, I laughed. And I still think it hilarious. Oh - the things we discuss in R.S.

Well, last night I had this realization that the "Big M" now in my life is Motherhood. Interesting how things change with each life circumstance we're in.

I suppose that's all a sidenote to my real point. But applicable - sort of.

President Uchtdorf gave a great talk in the Priesthood Session of October 2008 Conference called "Lift where you Stand."

I know it was addressed to the brethren, but I found some very applicable things to my present situation as the "Big M" in my house... to Motherhood. I ended up marking all the applicable parts with a big M in my Ensign to remind myself what I had learned. Here are the tidbits I loved:

"When we seek to serve others, we are motivated not by selfishness but by charity. This is the way Jesus Christ lived His life. ... Throughout His life, the Savior must have often felt tired and pressed upon, with scarcely a moment to Himself; yet He always made time for the sick, the sorrowful, and the overlooked."

Wow - that made me really think about how the Savior understands when I am so tired and weary of working. Sometimes I think I'm smothered with love and I desire a little space from the kids pressing on me. I'm just not strong enough physically to hold us all up at the same time. But our Savior understands that because his entire life was like that.  He did everything out of LOVE.  Interesting thought...

President Uchtdorf shared a great story about the stonecutter who overcame severe trials and accomplished a great task. "Neither did he shirk his duty, even though he had every reason to do so. He knew what the Lord expected him to do. ... [His] character, his legacy of sacrifice, serves as a banner of faithfulness and an ensign of duty to his family."

I love the example of the stonecutter who had a PRIORITY and he followed through even when it was hard.

"Whatever your calling, I urge you to see it as an opportunity not only to strengthen and bless others but also to become what Heavenly Father wants you to become."

"The Lord gave you your responsibilities for a reason. There may be people and hearts only you can reach and touch. Perhaps no one else could do it in quite the same way."

"He asks us ... to give the calling we have at this moment our best efforts."

"If we all stand close together in the place the Lord has appointed and lift where we stand, nothing can keep this divine work from moving upward and forward."

"May we always remember this profound lesson: that we are banner bearers of the Lord Jesus Christ, upheld by the Holy Spirit of God, faithful and true to the end, each one devoted to give our all to the cause of Zion and bound by covenant to stand close together and lift where we stand."

His message of "Lift where you Stand" encouraged me in my calling as a mother. It inspired me to Love where I am right now in my life and BE my best in my needful duties ... and do it with pure LOVE.