Love When Least Deserved

Wow.  It has been far too long since I posted here!  I was browsing Pinterest (yeah...you know what I REALLY mean) and I saw a beautiful clay tag someone had posted with an AMAZING quote on it.

Fate.  

I had to create a printable for my home.  

I need this reminder.  

We all need this reminder.

Here's my print~

We ALL have good days and bad days.  Some of us seem to have more of one or the other based on our brain's chemistry and our choices.  BUT, we all need love.  And as someone who has been having more bad than good days lately, I know it has impacted relationships.  So, my plea is in the print above.  Try to be a little kinder to those around you today--you never know what they are going through.

Thanks for stopping by today!  If you'd like a copy of this print without a watermark, please email me!  Feel free to print this FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.  For more disclaimers and policies, see the tab up top!  HUGS to you all!

Forgiveness: The World vs. The Lord

"And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace 

of them that make peace."

~James 3:18

This past week in Sunday School we were having a discussion about Joseph in Egypt (one of my all time favorite stories) in the book of Genesis and an interesting thing happened to me.  This question was raised: How does the worlds belief about forgiveness differ from the Lord's belief about forgiveness?

I raised my hand.  I thought I knew what to say.  Instead, I said something completely different.  It was like I was just saying things that were there and I hadn't realized it.  I'd like to share it with you and then, at the end, I've included the information as a table for study. :)

I had three points from each side that contrast each other come spilling out of my mouth.  I didn't go in depth, I just stated, "The world says that someone has to ask forgiveness.  The Lord tells us they do not need to in order for you to forgive.  The world tells you that someone has to make things perfectly whole and right again.  The Lords invites us to see that He already has.  The world tells you if the offense is committed again, you don't have to forgive them a second time.  The Lord tells us seventy times seven."  I'd like to delve a bit deeper into these points.

1)  The world says that someone has to ask forgiveness before you can forgive.  The Lord does not agree.  He says you can forgive even without an apology.  Let's take a look at some examples of this in the scriptures.  In Doctrine & Covenants 64:10, the Lord tell us, "I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men." (emphasis added)  There is not qualifier in that statement from the Lord.  All literally means all, whether they have apologized or not.  Another example of this can be found at the end of our Savior's life.  As Jesus was hanging on the cross, suffering for each one of us and the sins that we so frequently commit, He spoke these words to His Father (who is our Father as well), "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do..." (Luke 23:24).  If you read prior to this statement, you will find no apology, either sincere or snide, from those who harmed Him.  The Savior expects us to live by His example.  This means that we are held to a higher standard.  We must forgive all men, as He did, no matter what they do and whether or not there is an apology.

2)  The world says that the person has to make things right.  It tells us that if things aren't made right, we will never be whole and will be unable to find peace.  The Lord tells us He already has made things right and that we can find complete peace in a world that rarely feels a moment of it.  Some scriptural back up for my point--in Doctrine & Covenants 50:41-42 reads, "Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost."  A powerful promise. Christ teaches in Matthew 11:29-30, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  And in John 14:27 we learn this from the Savior, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  When we follow Christ's example of ready forgiveness, all is right.  Our burdens are lifted. We find peace.

3)  The world would tell us that if we forgive once, and the offense is committed against us again, it is unforgivable.  The Lord has very different math.  Peter asked this of the Lord in Matthew 18:21, "Then came Peter unto him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?"  I think we all know the response.  Matthew 18:22, "Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."  I will put a short disclaimer in here and say that we are agents to act and not be acted upon (see HERE, especially under Component Number Three: Inviting Children to Act for more on that subject).  Whenever we are in a situation where we are being continually hurt, we must shoulder some of the blame and work to not put ourselves in that situation.  This may be radical thinking, but even those who are in serious abusive situations have the power to leave.  Christ will bolster you.  He will carry you.  Take action.  The only instance I feel this does not apply to is when a child or some other frail person who is unable to care for themselves and is completely dependent upon another for life is being abused.

I'm not here to say that I am the perfect example of forgiveness or the perfect example of righteous living.  I am just here to share with you a little knowledge that I learned in Sunday School this past Sabbath.  I personally have had experiences with each of these three items of concern.  I also have come to know that the Savior's Atonement will make up for all that I lack and for all that is done to me in error.  

I also believe what we are taught about judgement and forgiveness (see HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.)  When we forgive freely and without malice, frankly as Nephi did, we are becoming more like our Savior and more fit for the Kingdom of God.  I know that forgiveness is part of Christ like charity.

May we ever forgive those around us so that our lives may be filled with peace is my humble desire and wish.  God bless you all!

You can find the chart I told you about HERE.  Feel free to download it and use it for your personal use.  If you find any other wonderful scriptures, I would LOVE to have you share them here in the comments!

Musings on Motherhood

This is one way I love to be a mother--by baking with my youngest sister.  Notice the mess?  Yep...moms don't have to have perfect homes to be perfect mothers.  And moms don't even have to have their own children...shocked?  Keep reading.

I recently read an article on how Satan can steal your motherhood.  It was FABULOUS.  I LOVED it.  But I think it didn't fully address where the problem starts when it comes to us as women questioning and giving away our motherhood.  After thinking about this, I decided to write a supplemental post about this subject.  Please note that I am not offering this as a rebuttal or as something "better" than the other article.  I'm just adding some insight as someone who does not have children of my own and still considers herself a mother.

Let me start by telling you what I believe motherhood truly is.  I believe that every single female born into this world is innately a mother.  Motherhood is an eternal calling and that this calling can be fulfilled whether or not you ever bear children in this world.  I believe that it is the duty of each woman born into the world to magnify this calling no matter what your circumstances may be.  Is this easy?  No.  Is this worth it?  Yes.  And it is vitally and eternally important.  Motherhood is the only job that will leave us completely fulfilled, if we let it.

There will be many out there who disagree with me.  That is because Satan has already stolen their motherhood.  It happens far before you ever even think about having children.  The root of the problem is not in the feelings of being overwhelmed and under appreciated.  The root of the problem happens way before this.

Just when does Satan start to steal our motherhood?  As soon as we are born as a female.  As soon as we start going to school and learn that women "don't need children" and "can have any job they want."  It starts with the first television show you watch that shows a stay at home mother as someone to be pitied and as "stupid".  It starts when Satan whispers or yells at you through another person's voice that being a mother isn't what it's cracked up to be, that some people aren't suited to be mothers, that you can do something BETTER.

So, what am I saying?  Am I saying that if you have a job/career and kids that you're wrong?  No.  Am I saying that women should only ever have kids and never do anything else?  No.  Am I saying that if you don't have kids you are worth less than someone who does have kids?  No.

I am saying that whether or not you have children of your own (which I do not), you have a sacred obligation to act as a mother in all that you do.  What does this mean?  It means that you are kind and nurturing.  It means that you are gentle and thoughtful.  It means that at times, you HAVE to reject what society thinks will help you become a self fulfilled person to realize that surrounding yourself with children will be what will bring the most happiness.  You can do this an have a job as well, if this is God's plan for you personally.

And now, a word to those of us who do not have children.  You are a mother!  Don't buy into the lie that you have to actually give birth to be a mother!  There ARE children that need YOU.  They are at church with you, they are in the schools that are in your community, they are living in a house next door to you.  You CAN be a mother!  You ARE a mother.  Look for opportunities to let this role be fulfilled instead of pining away waiting for it to be immediately in your home.  Take the time to learn the names of the children at church.  Volunteer at a local school.  Serve as a sponsor for an after school program.  Go read to the kids at the homeless shelter.  Help children see that you are another adult that loves them and wants them to succeed and then you are one of their mothers.

I have lots of moms.  And I have needed and appreciated each of them.  They are moms of friends, teachers from school, and women I worked with.  I still meet my moms.  They are the friends who are willing to cry with me, the women that smile at me in the grocery store, the women that take time to allow me to mother their children.  This never has and never will diminish the importance of my personal mother, but I feel grateful for ALL of the mothers I have in my life.

Here is my plea to all the women out there--BE a mother.  Be willing to hold motherhood in the high esteem it deserves.  Don't allow Satan to make you think that you can't be a mother or that motherhood is something that isn't for everybody.  Allow God to change your heart and allow Him to show you how you can be the mother you were meant to be.  You will not regret it.