Recently a young man we know made some very, very bad choices. Choices that will have dire consequences for the rest his life and also have a tragic impact on his family and many others. As much as I wish I could just forget about the whole mess, I find myself thinking about it frequently.
The other day I was rocking Bryce and for a moment he calmly kept his head on my shoulder. While enjoying the sweet moment I suddenly had a flash where I could envision the young man I previously mentioned as a small, innocent baby being rocked similarly in his mother's loving arms. I felt a flood of emotions. First, sorrow - truly, wickedness never was happiness. I ache for his family and all who have been hurt in this situation. Second, I felt a sense of relief that Aubree and Bryce are still young and I can keep them (as much as possible) safe and protected. The choices they make at their ages do not have long-term or far-reaching effects. I can control who they're around, what influences they're exposed to, and how they spend their time. I know that will not last long. Finally, I felt an urgent sense of responsibility. The pull of the World is strong and enticing. Certainly there will come a time in the not-to-distant future when Aubree and Bryce will be outside my small circle of protection. What trials will they face? What choices will they make? I can't afford to wait until their "older" to teach them fundamental and essential truths that will hopefully guide their lives and help them to avoid major pitfalls.
So, to my dear children (perhaps you will read this post when you get a little older), first know how much I and your father LOVE YOU! Our love for you, however, pales in comparison to the love your Father in Heaven has for you. Before you came to Earth, you lived with Him. He has a plan for you and his greatest desire is for you to return to live with Him. By following the scriptures and the prophets and keeping the commandments, we can return to Him. Doing those things will also allow us to be happy on Earth and feel the guidance of the Holy Ghost in our lives, which is such a precious gift. I testify to you that the greatest happiness comes from following Christ's example and allowing his Atonement have effect in your life. The scriptures refer to this feeling as "peace of conscience." I know you will make mistakes - we all do. But more than anything, I hope you know who you are (a beloved Child of God) and that there is always Hope through the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Love Always - Your Mom
The other day I was rocking Bryce and for a moment he calmly kept his head on my shoulder. While enjoying the sweet moment I suddenly had a flash where I could envision the young man I previously mentioned as a small, innocent baby being rocked similarly in his mother's loving arms. I felt a flood of emotions. First, sorrow - truly, wickedness never was happiness. I ache for his family and all who have been hurt in this situation. Second, I felt a sense of relief that Aubree and Bryce are still young and I can keep them (as much as possible) safe and protected. The choices they make at their ages do not have long-term or far-reaching effects. I can control who they're around, what influences they're exposed to, and how they spend their time. I know that will not last long. Finally, I felt an urgent sense of responsibility. The pull of the World is strong and enticing. Certainly there will come a time in the not-to-distant future when Aubree and Bryce will be outside my small circle of protection. What trials will they face? What choices will they make? I can't afford to wait until their "older" to teach them fundamental and essential truths that will hopefully guide their lives and help them to avoid major pitfalls.
So, to my dear children (perhaps you will read this post when you get a little older), first know how much I and your father LOVE YOU! Our love for you, however, pales in comparison to the love your Father in Heaven has for you. Before you came to Earth, you lived with Him. He has a plan for you and his greatest desire is for you to return to live with Him. By following the scriptures and the prophets and keeping the commandments, we can return to Him. Doing those things will also allow us to be happy on Earth and feel the guidance of the Holy Ghost in our lives, which is such a precious gift. I testify to you that the greatest happiness comes from following Christ's example and allowing his Atonement have effect in your life. The scriptures refer to this feeling as "peace of conscience." I know you will make mistakes - we all do. But more than anything, I hope you know who you are (a beloved Child of God) and that there is always Hope through the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Love Always - Your Mom
5 comments:
That was beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. I can tell that you are a good mom & your kids are lucky to have you. All you can do is teach them & set a good example. The rest is up to them.
If you force someone to do something, that only makes them not want to do it more. But if you teach them correctly & set a good example, hopefully they will want to make the right choices. That's the best we can hope for.
That is the beauty of God's plan. He has given us free agency.
wow Erin, You are my hero!! It is amazing how you can feel the spirit just by reading a blog!! You are such a great mother and a great example of Aubree and Bryce as well as for the rest of us!! I can feel how strong your testimony is and it strengthens mine!! I love you and thank you for sharing this special message with us!!
Katie and Kim - you're too kind. I try my very best to be a good mom, but I know I fall short more often than I care to admit. I know I can't force my kids to "choose the right," and even if I could it probably would have the opposite effect of what I want, that's exactly why I feel such a responsibility to take advantage of every teaching moment available. I hope that they can come to know for themselves. And, I'm working on being a good example. There's nothing worse and more transparant than a hypocrite in a child's (teenager's?) eyes.
Sniff, sniff. Thanks for being such a great example to me. Thanks for letting us in on your sweet testimony to your kids. You're amazing.
Erin, I have had very similar SAD SAD things happen around me and have had similar feelings about loved ones making bad choices. These past few months have been very difficult. Thank you for putting your thoughts into words for us and for your children. You have truly inspired me to write the things of my heart FOR THEM rather than just think them myself. I love you, Heather
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