The World is in God's Hands. But what about government?

My last post generated a considerable amount of thoughtful commentary. I spent a long time reading and considering your ideas and opinions. I took detours of thought that led me down previously untrod cerebral pathways. Thanks for all the mental stimulation!

But alas, now I am left with not much time for posting. So in consideration of today's list of to-dos that I have yet to dent, I'm posting my comment to my last post as today's main post.

As always, I'm interested to know what you're thinking!

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Oh my brain cells, they are a firing! These comments have given me a lot to think about. And because I filter everything through the lens of the gospel, I'm left wondering, What will Jesus do? We're told that at his second coming he'll rule temporally as well as spirtually. What will he make of this fine mess?

I believe that we should do all in our power to support and encourage government to best meet the needs of its citizens. That's one complex task! I'm glad Linda mentioned her example of sharing a lane and how it relates to government. I like to simplify complex things, and I do that by relating large and complex things to a scale that I can understand, knowing full well that complexities multiply as size increases.

So here's the thing. I've been thinking about writing another letter to my federal representatives encouraging them to take a close look at the "economy" of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Remember when Time Magazine did that report entitled, "Mormons Inc.?" One thing I remember is that Joseph Smith received revelation early on to get the church out of debt. I think that our government would do well to follow the same advice. Yes, it will be difficult to whittle away at a trillion dollar deficit, but difficult doesn't mean impossible.

[Note: I re-read the Time article. It didn't say anything about Joseph Smith getting the church out of debt. But section 64 of the Doctrine and Covenants does. This talk by Franklin D. Richards also mentions other scriptural references to debt.]

I can see that STM has her heart in the right place. Along with her, I've noticed that ultra-conservative policies seem uncaring and hands-off in a 'we don't care' kind of way. That's not right either.

I like to think of myself as a compassionate conservative, but what does that mean? I'm idealistic and a Christian too. And in my heart of hearts, I know that the Lord is aware of each individual person on this earth. He knows our needs and knows this earth, His creation, down to every milliliter of oil. He has created this world to support our lives with enough and to spare. I'm sure he weeps to see how some have hoarded resourses and sold them off to the highest bidder. But he does not over-ride agency. Ever. Not even when it was His son they were hanging on a cross.

Our United States government was founded on providing freedom for its citizens. This means that some will use that freedom to exploit those underneath them. It also means that every one of us is free to "lift where we stand," as Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf expressed in his talk in the General Priesthood session of General Conference.

I believe that when more of us lift, we need less government. I'm going to do what I can to spread the good news of the gospel to those in my circle of influence. It lifts in ways that government can't.

We are in the hands of the Lord. I'll be praying for our leaders and supporting and encouraging them to look for ways to provide the greatest good while preserving the greatest amount of freedom.

What can faith do for mothers?

A deadbolt at the top of the door.

Leaving a planning meeting for the young women’s organization that I’m now a part of, I saw the well-planned means to prevent young children from escaping outside without the knowledge of their parents. But our hostess doesn’t have children yet, a fact I remembered just before opening my mouth to comment on the clever home design. My words might have pricked a heart already tender and still recovering from two failed attempts to adopt a precious newborn.

Precious. A word I’ve been thinking about a lot in light of my friend’s situation. As my own children head back to school, I’m using her clever deadbolt as a touchstone to help me ponder the sweetness of children, my own included.

I am a sap. I freely admit it. Sometimes I’m tough-nosed and stern, grumpy even. Other days I’m goofy, talkative and playful. But ever since my youngest headed off to a full day of school, I get sentimental and mushy at the start of each new school year. The truth is, I miss my kids when they’re gone to school.

Last night as I was saying my bedtime prayer, I thought of my friend’s deadbolt and asked the Lord to comfort and strengthen her, to grant the mother-desires of her heart. I also prayed that He would help me feel gratitude instead of loneliness this year. As I got up off my knees, I felt hope and peace. I could envision myself going about my daily activities in contentment.

This morning I walked my youngest daughter to school and met her new teacher. As I left the elementary school, eager, smiling children surged all around me. The building buzzed with their energy and excitement. Again I thought of my friend and her longing to mother a child.

Faith can move mountains. What can faith do for mothers? In The Book of Mormon, Ether 12:19 states, “And there were many whose faith was so exceedingly strong … [they] saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with an eye of faith.”

I cannot know the number of friends and family who are exercising faith along with my friend and her husband. I can, however, add my own faith and prayers. And share the tender mercies of a loving Heavenly Father who gave me eyes of faith to see a young mother with a child in her arms reaching up to deadbolt her door to keep a rambunctious son from escaping.

Today's Morning Prayer

I’m grateful for today. For the wonderful night’s sleep I had. (No night sweats.) And for waking to bird song. I’m grateful for sunshine, for warmth, for freshly mown grass – especially when it’s cut on the diagonal.

I’m grateful for the fun and excitement the girls and I have had shopping for their room décor. (Note: The Hobby Lobby isn’t open on Sunday. Will I receive blessings from shopping there?) I’m grateful for my sewing skills, for my mother, 4-H leaders and home ec. teachers who taught me well. Bless them.

I’m grateful that I’m a mother. Please help me to be content with the tasks of motherhood. Help me to not wish away the joys of the moment seeking after recognition or praise from others. It seems that every time I’m contemplating writing/speaking/teaching I find that someone else is already filling the niche I hoped to fill. Help me recognize that no one else can fill my motherhood niche. Help me to recognize it as one of life’s most precious blessings.

While I’m on the topic of niches, please bless me with appreciation for other’s talents. Help me overcome my tendency toward envy and, if possible, replace it with gratitude. Help me to recognize and savor the divinity in each individual I meet and observe. I thank thee for my fellow humans. I thank thee that we aren’t all alike and that we don’t all have the same interests, talents, opinions and fashion sense. Help me especially to savor and be thankful for the differences between myself and my teenager and preteen.

Please help me to find joy in the little things – the everyday blessings that I may be overlooking. Kissing my kids before they head off to school. How they all give me kisses before heading to bed – even my fourteen- and twelve-year-olds. Having a son who wants me to watch him hit a shot with his new golf club. A daughter with a big enough bladder that she never has to use the bathroom at school but rushes down the stairs the moment she walk in the door to use the toilet. (Tee-hee.) Chatting with her as she eats her after-school snack. Watching my youngest and her best friend riding their bikes to elementary school. Listening to them giggle. Having everyone gathered around the table for dinner most nights of the week.

Bless me to find enjoyment in making dinner. My calculations show that if I cook six meals a week until my youngest turns 20, I have roughly 3,400 more menus to prepare. Give me strength! And patience.

I’m grateful for my dog. Do you have a dog? I’m grateful that thou hast given them to us as companions and friends. Annie is a bit of a goof-ball, but she’s endearing, energetic, and cheerful. Help me to be more like her, to have her enthusiasm for meeting new people and going new places. I don’t aspire to being able to catch a Frisbee in my mouth, but I’m grateful my dog can. Her athletic abilities and acrobatics make me laugh. I’m grateful for laughter.

Well, I need to be wrapping up. I need to shower and start my day. I’m grateful to live when I do – in a time of running water and flush toilets. But above all, I’m grateful for Thee. For Thy plan of happiness. For thy Son who made it all possible. Help me to remember Him in all that I do. Help me to be a good example as one of His followers.

These things I say, in His name, amen.

Morning Prayer

I haven't said my morning prayer yet. Which isn't unusual. I'm trying to develop a habit of morning prayer. Notice the word 'trying.' And trying. On successful prayer mornings I don't allow myself to make the bed until I kneel down and say my morning prayer. But I got busy today and made the bed early -- before I'd even thought about prayer. Oops.

And by the way, Science Teacher Mommy, many of my kneel-down prayers are what I call ceiling bouncers. But I figure that the act of getting on my knees and thinking about the Lord must count for something. Show some kind of humble devotion. Answers to prayer rarely come while I'm on my knees. Instead, they percolate (can you write 'percolate' if you're not a coffee drinker?) and bubble up while I'm walking the dog, putting on my make-up, or driving the car. Really big answers often come during Sunday church services.

I'm even trying a new dieting technique that involves prayer. A month ago I read a book on the Weigh Down Diet Workshop which advocates praying to the Lord for strength to do His will and overcome the urge to overeat. On mornings that I remember to pray, when I ask for strength and seek, in prayer, to do the Lord's will, I don't overeat. So why don't I pray for help every morning? Do I get too busy? What's so sacred about kneeling by my bed? Wouldn't kneeling by the fridge actually be most helpful? Could I write a prayer while at the computer? If I post it on my blog, is that sacrilegious? Is it a good idea to demonstrate to the three readers of my blog just know shallow and unrighteous I am?

Here goes.

Dear Lord,

I'm grateful to thee for computers, for keyboards, for the teachers who taught me how to type, and for advancements in writing methods that don't require keeping brass plates. But I am grateful that Nephi and the other prophets from the Book of Mormon obeyed and diligently kept the Brass Plates.

I'm grateful for make-up. Thou knowest that I've been vain ever since I was a child and prayed for long fingernails and high heels. Even though Brian Hawkes once told me in high school that when he first met me he didn't think I was cute, at least thou hast blessed me with a personality that changed his mind. And I can't help thinking that make-up helps too. Is make-up one of the inventions that you had a hand in bringing about? Does it help to reflect our inner beauty? Or is it a way for mothers to bond with daughters? Because I have enjoyed sharing make-up moments with Lou, as she's 12 years old now. Thank thee for Loula Belle!

And I thank thee for Beans. I'm having a hard time lately with her sullen moods. When she's not happy I feel it's my responsibility to make her happy. And I think that pressure is causing me much stress. Lord, I love it when my family members are happy. But is it my job to make them happy? And how do I maintain my happiness and emotional equilibrium when the kids or Hubby are out of sorts? If I’m trying to make others happy is that kind of like trying to make others obey? I guess I know what I should do – act like I know I should (kindness, gentleness, meekness, love unfeigned) and then allow others to choose how they act. That’s hard. Please help me get better at that.

I’d like to thank thee for good friends. For those women who attended the Out to Lunch Ladies luncheon yesterday. I enjoyed sharing in their laughter, swapping stories, and feeling understood. Also, I’m grateful for Linda. She’s a wonderful friend. Bless her for being so good to me.

And wilt thou be with the Young family as Hannah goes in for heart surgery? I pray that the surgeon and medical personnel will be led to zap the nerves that are causing her heart to mis-fire. I thank thee for modern medicine. Bless Brother Krebs in his knee surgery recovery. And Sister Thompson in her double knee replacement recovery. Be with the Koeven family in SLC as they are dealing with the loss of their husband and father. I’m grateful for eternal families. Thank you for your wonderful plan of happiness!

There’s more to say, Lord, but I need to wrap this up. Please be with me to make wise choices today. In eating, speaking, and conducting myself. Also help me have fun. Isn’t fun okay? You’ve got a sense of humor, don’t you? I hope so and feel that you must. Thanks for blessing others with wonderful talents that they share. For the musicians who perform on the CDs I listen to, for the authors who write uplifting fiction, and for Steve Easton’s column in the Herald Journal. He’s a quirky Mormon, and maybe I am too. Bless me this day, I pray. Amen.