Monday, March 29, 2010

A post, an apology, and a request for forgivenes

I got to thinking about Monday morning. I thought about how difficult it is to get Jake up on Mondays after being able to sleep in two days in a row. I thought about getting Joe and Jake ready for school. I though about what a disaster my kitchen is Monday morning because I take the Sabbath injunction to not wash my dishes on Sunday seriously. I thought about waiting for Raena to take her nap so I can post on this blog. And then I thought about the very few comments each post gets, and how it didn't seem like anyone would even miss it if I just stopped. So I did. It's been at least two weeks, probably three, since I last posted.

Then, this morning, I had a message. One sister, not even a sister that is in my circle of close friends, just a very nice woman in my ward, shared that she missed the postings.

And now I feel bad.

Here's what I missed by not posting:

  • I haven't read a conference talk in weeks. That means I've missed opportunities for the Spirit to teach me.
  • I've lost sight of why I was doing this: to bless the lives of sisters I love and give us all an opportunity to Feast.
  • I let my own personal pride get in the way of providing even for the one, letting a flawed counter measure the worth of my project.

So, I apologize for caring more about myself than you and the commitment I made to you. I hope you forgive me for getting lazy and selfish. Even one is worth the effort.

In that spirit, I have chosen for this weeks feast President Monson's talk from the priesthood session, "School They Feelings, O My Brother." President Monson talks about the prevalence of anger in our world. He teaches us about the damage it can do in our homes and in our relationships. He spoke to me when he told a story about President Grant. As a young adult, he did some work for a man who paid him $500. The man regretted he could not pay him more. Pres. Grant did additional work, harder, more laborious work, and was paid $150. Then Pres. Grant got mad. And he got madder. He was insulted! What an offense! He talked to a friend about it. The friend asked, "Did the man intend to insult you?"

"No. He told my friends he had rewarded me handsomely."

"A man's a fool who takes an insult when it wasn't intended."

And so, this fool is grateful for the counsel of a prophet. I am grateful for your friendship, and your long suffering and encouragement. My life is blessed by your sisterhood, all of you! I hope this talk helps you evaluate your feelings, and school yourself, lest you be schooled by someone else. :)

PS-Pray to prepare yourselves for the upcoming feast! General Conference Saturday and Sunday!

7 comments:

  1. I very much enjoy this blog and am glad you are back. Did I miss the link to this weeks talk or are we using this week to prepare for conference?

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  2. Emily, how is it you talk about the things that I feel. Anger will eat at your soul and hurt only you.

    Sometimes life is over whelming to say the least. I marvel at all you young mothers that get up everyday and face all the piles of laundry, dishes(I always had a pile of them myself-ask my kids), & sticky little hands & faces that want to be held. But amid all of this you are tireless in all your efforts to reach out to someone else, to help someone in need. To brighten someones day. You are an inspiration to many others that might need some encouragement, and you brighten a life that is growing old with age. Many times you will not even realize your influence.
    Your endless energy for life brings a renewed commitment to those of us that are tired. You may not realize your own self worth, but others do and so does the Lord. He is watching over you, as you are constantly touching the soul of someone else. Bringing his light to them. We are all sisters in this life together and need each other. Don't give up or be discouraged, for you are doing a divine work and the Lord is pleased.
    He will bless and keep you.

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  3. I read very often. I just never leave a post. You have more readers than you think=) Sometimes we just get that quick moment to read and then have to run off. You know how that is. Thanks for your uplifting comments they inspire me and keep me gospel minded.

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  4. Emily I have really missed your postimgs, but mainly I missed your sweet spirit. What a good subject anger. I have always felt anger was just a plain waste of time, a time when Satan had complete control over the situation.Have a wonderful Easter, a time we can be refreshed by listening to the prophet.

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  5. i'm glad you started posting again! I'm with Andrea, sometimes I just have a second to read and then I'm off again! I really needed this talk though right now. I have sick kids and have felt like all I do is yell and get angry the last few days! Anger doesn’t solve anything. It builds nothing, but it can destroy everything. This quote really stuck out to me and I am greatful for the wake up call! :)

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  6. I too am one who reads but doesn't post very often. I think about all the things I could say but never get back to say them. Thank you for letting your light shine and encouraging others do so also. This was one of my favorite talks!

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  7. It's easy to let stat counters become the motivation (or demotivation) for blogging. (Or checking for comments.) Guilty as charged! We want to feel that we're making a difference and that we are being heard.

    But I can see that your blogging is helping you just as much as it helps others because, as you wrote, it gives you a reason to study the conference talks. It is so true that when you study something so deeply in order to write about it, you learn more than if you were just doing a cursory reading.

    Keep up the good work!

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Enlighten us!