I have been thinking, for months, about sharing some of the experiences I have had in my home with my kids. Those of you who follow me on Facebook see the funny things which happen almost daily at our house, but the experiences that have left the most lasting effects on me are largely untold.
Bedtime is a special time at our house. It's a time for making memories and forging habits that I hope will carry us through the years. Some days I want to throw the kids into their beds and run screaming from the house, but most days I am filled to bursting with gratitude for these beautiful, funny, oh so sweet kids that I get to call mine forever. At bedtime we read our favorite books and learn about children of God from all ages. We pray, answer questions, and then we sing.
Those moments, snuggled next to Evelyn in her bed, or holding Rhett curled up in my lap are what I live for. I learn. I really learn. Singing primary songs to my babies, at bedtime, teaches me more about the gospel than I learn anywhere else. We learn, together, the most important lessons of this life. In those quiet moments inspiration enters, and I am taught.
This week we've been singing Stars Were Gleaming from the Children's Hymnbook. It usually takes a few days of me singing a song before the kids remember it well enough to sing along, but once they start singing along I hear new meanings for the songs in my own life. From the mouths of babes.
I learn.
Angels' story, rang with glory, announcing to the world that the king was born! They came to shepherds, who watched the flocks. Those who knew the firstborn without blemish. Those who could attest to which lambs were worthy to be used as sacrifices under the law of Moses. Those who would be willing to bear witness of the birth of the son of God, who would eventually sacrifice himself for us all.
Hearken. We can hear it still.
Hearken. Listen. Can I hear it still? Does my gratitude for the life my Savior lived, echo loudly enough in my mind that I can hear it every day? I am confident that the Angels' song stayed with those shepherds long after the lights in the heavens went dark. What do I need to do each day to Hearken? How do I take seriously that the birth of the Savior impacts my life every day? His grace enables me to learn, to put aside old habits, and to replace them with new ones. The gift of His life allows me to start fresh each day. It gives me the confidence to forgive myself for the poor choices I made yesterday, for my lack of patience or empathy. Knowing who He is reminds me that greatness can run in this family. That with His help I can learn, however slowly, to be like Him.
Leading still, our Christmas star. What am I willing to give to follow? My pride? My expectations? Am I willing to follow even when life seems unfair? Even when I see undeserved pain in the lives of those around me? Or am I willing to slip away, increasing the distance between my life and God, losing sight of the beauty that he brings into the world? What am I willing to give to return?
Hearken. We can hear it still.
The most important lessons I learn are taught with a child in my arms, while singing the simplest, and most beautiful, messages I know.
Bedtime is a special time at our house. It's a time for making memories and forging habits that I hope will carry us through the years. Some days I want to throw the kids into their beds and run screaming from the house, but most days I am filled to bursting with gratitude for these beautiful, funny, oh so sweet kids that I get to call mine forever. At bedtime we read our favorite books and learn about children of God from all ages. We pray, answer questions, and then we sing.
Those moments, snuggled next to Evelyn in her bed, or holding Rhett curled up in my lap are what I live for. I learn. I really learn. Singing primary songs to my babies, at bedtime, teaches me more about the gospel than I learn anywhere else. We learn, together, the most important lessons of this life. In those quiet moments inspiration enters, and I am taught.
This week we've been singing Stars Were Gleaming from the Children's Hymnbook. It usually takes a few days of me singing a song before the kids remember it well enough to sing along, but once they start singing along I hear new meanings for the songs in my own life. From the mouths of babes.
I learn.
Angels' story, rang with glory, announcing to the world that the king was born! They came to shepherds, who watched the flocks. Those who knew the firstborn without blemish. Those who could attest to which lambs were worthy to be used as sacrifices under the law of Moses. Those who would be willing to bear witness of the birth of the son of God, who would eventually sacrifice himself for us all.
Hearken. We can hear it still.
Hearken. Listen. Can I hear it still? Does my gratitude for the life my Savior lived, echo loudly enough in my mind that I can hear it every day? I am confident that the Angels' song stayed with those shepherds long after the lights in the heavens went dark. What do I need to do each day to Hearken? How do I take seriously that the birth of the Savior impacts my life every day? His grace enables me to learn, to put aside old habits, and to replace them with new ones. The gift of His life allows me to start fresh each day. It gives me the confidence to forgive myself for the poor choices I made yesterday, for my lack of patience or empathy. Knowing who He is reminds me that greatness can run in this family. That with His help I can learn, however slowly, to be like Him.
"Like the polar star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith. In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us." Gordon B. Hinckley
Leading still, our Christmas star. What am I willing to give to follow? My pride? My expectations? Am I willing to follow even when life seems unfair? Even when I see undeserved pain in the lives of those around me? Or am I willing to slip away, increasing the distance between my life and God, losing sight of the beauty that he brings into the world? What am I willing to give to return?
Hearken. We can hear it still.
The most important lessons I learn are taught with a child in my arms, while singing the simplest, and most beautiful, messages I know.
