Tuesday, April 24, 2012

An Epiphany for me

I am trying to find joy in my daily life, in my mundane routines of being a mother. It doesn't change much for me. There is always dishes that need to be done, laundry that needs to be folded. I make breakfast, lunch and dinner. I go grocery shopping and pick up after kids and clean bathrooms. But, in my reading today I came across a scripture that helped change some of my perspective, for today atleast.
I have read this scripture many times but today it has different meaning for me.
It is Alma 32:37-39
37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.
38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.
39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your aground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.


I thought of this in a different way today. I thought of this in how I am raising my children. This is what I am doing for my children everytime I obey the commandments like having prayer with them, reading scriptures, praising them, discussing gospel topics. I am nourishing their tree and helping the roots grow deeply and that it takes work and part of that is the mundane everyday tasks.
The rewards of my faith is to see all my children with me in the Celestial kingdom. That is my greatest joy. I think I have a glimpse of what my father in heaven might see and feel.

4 comments:

Jo Romero said...

so needed this! Love it! thanks mel! how is your babysitting/daycare going?

Suzy said...

That's a nice thought. Sometimes the mundane, daily details can be so repetitive and sometimes overwhelming, but they are important. I just wish I could catch up and feel more successful in my own home. All the efforts are important, even if perfection is a long way off. If we keep faithfully laboring to nourish the trees, eventually we will enjoy the fruits of our labors.

Substance of Living said...

Melanie,

Beautifully written and something every woman, mother, and wife should read. The mundane is like water to the tree. We don't give it much thought but it is important.

This is exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you for sharing.

Substance of Living said...
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