Last night as I was cleaning up the kitchen I began to feel a little bitter toward all of the work and responsibility that is on me at the moment. I was thinking about a time about 8 or 9 years ago when DH and I were still at BYU. We had heard a Devotional address given by Elder Maxwell. In that address he spoke about the Lord stretching us beyond our current capabilities and how it teaches and shapes us. After the address DH asked me if I felt like we had ever really been stretched. He was of the opinion that up until that point life had been pretty easy. And then he did what no one should do. He wished for a "stretching" experience. We've never relaxed again. Through the years I think I can justly say we've been stretched. Just when I think that life couldn't get more challenging, that we couldn't possibly do more, we're pushed a little farther.
So all of these thoughts are swirling around my head when Princess comes skating into the kitchen. She has been skating non-stop for about a week now. Not really skating but walking with her little Care Bear skates strapped to her feet. She has my coordination and skill. So she's fallen A LOT. Yesterday she took several nasty spills, and she fell again as she came onto the slick tile floor. She began to cry and my frustration spilled out and I said, "If you don't want to get hurt and keep falling, take the skates off!" She looked up at me and out of the mouth of a babe came the lesson that I needed to hear, "Mom, if I don't keep trying, how will I ever learn to skate? If I stopped now everyone would know how to skate and I would be the only one who didn't. I have to keep skating so I can learn." Her words hit me. That was my answer.
So here I am, falling over and over again. I don't know exactly why I'm being taught to "skate" right now, but here's my chance to learn. I guess if Princess is still trying, I can't give up either.
3 comments:
Thanks Princess for the reminder. That was just what I needed to hear right when I was starting to feel sorry for myself.
Thanks for the message - not only do you need to hear it, but I did as well. I feel like I am just trying to survive right now, let alone really live.
I am glad to hear of the determination of little princess - she has alot to teach my little princess!
Yes, she is determined. Sometimes to her and my detriment! Getting her in the car to get to school is a nightmare. There is always something else that she wants to do. Look forward to seeing you Jen at Thanksgiving!
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