What's on my mind . . .? Work and Faith. You are not surprised, but dear reader, read on....
Lately, I've been considering the topic of sharing the work of the family. This seems like a fairly straight forward topic. When you have a family, there is plenty of physical work to be done. Right? The work of the home is like interest. It's constant, multiplies all by itself, and never takes a holiday! It's never done! My dear husband had pointed this out many times throughout the course of our marriage. And I appreciate his attempts to help me gain perspective.
Still, at least for me, the physical work of the home is a tug-of-war between getting the work done and taking it easy. I love having a clean organized home! Maybe you have had this struggle too. Yet I know there is more to life than work. Somewhere between the cleaning, scrubbing, bathing babies and cooking, there's a spiritual connection that goes much deeper. I believe it's the part where a house becomes a home. How is it done?
Restoration. That's not a word you hear every day. Sounds like work, doesn't it? Think about it though. If there's a restoration, something has been lost. Something needs bringing back. It may involve scrubbing, cleaning, and fixing up. In this case, in my opinion, the restoration about faith in families. It's about restoring the faith that families who work together are participating in God's plan. Elder Kenneth Johnson gave a talk in May of 2008 titled Restoring Faith in the Family that tells us that "with knowledge of the great plan of happiness, we have the opportunity and also the responsibility to help restore faith in the family.
Where else do we best learn about loyalty, integrity, dependability, selfless service, honor, respect, th eprinciples of provident living, and the dignity of work? I learned those things doing dishes with my sisters, taking out the trash when Mom asked me to, and attempting to learn to sew some of my own clothing as a youth. Now as a public school teacher I attempt to address some of those issues of teaching students to work, but I can tell you, if children come to school without a keen idea of how to work, it makes my job next to impossible. Home is where pracitcal skills can meet spiritual application. Learning to change a spark plug or making a meal inspires service and love for others. It is this pattern that if followed brings about the truth found in the Book of Mormon of living "after the manner of happiness" and "with joy...draw water out tf the wells of salvation." Our ability to enjoy life's greatest opportunities is only restricted by our outlook or attitude..... mostly about work.
Elder Johnson poses the question: "What of those who have not experienced a positive family environment?" His answer is simple and beautiful.
"Stable families provide the fabric that holds society together, benefitting all mankind, even those who may feel they live in less-favorable circumstances." It's the light on the hill concept. You just can't hide a happy attitude or a willingness to try.
So go on! Make the best of your messy, chaotic, wonderful family life. It's God's plan for us. He will help us get through it all...colic, diapers, fatigue and crisis, and careers. He will be with us. His promises are sure.
Elder Johnson closed with a poem by Helen Steiner Rice that I love.
When God makes a promise
It remains forever true,
For everything God promises
He unalterably will do.
When you're disallusioned
And every hope is blighted
Recall the promises of God
And your faith will be relighted.

It's my little project to memorize this poem because it makes me think of how much I count on the Lord's promises. That's what's on my mind. Just thought you'd like to know.