(This post got deleted at some point and was thus probably better the first time)
Lately, I have come to notice a distinct difference between being in a Single's Ward Sacrament Meeting, and being in a Family Ward. In fact we are not in just any Family Ward, we are in a mostly Military Ward. You see, in a Single's Ward, during the passing of the Sacrament it is silent! The silence is piercing to the soul and it reminds you to focus inward on your testimony of the Atonement. You must of course learn to harness that focus so that your thoughts are not on things like facebook but things of much far greater importance. In a Family Ward, things are not so quiet, parents rush to fuss at their children who are being not so reverent, so that they can teach them the proper way. Anyone without children with them is to use the harnessing abilities we all have acquired to turn to the Savior. I have never found this easier or sweeter than it is in the Killeen First Ward. I admit that having been called to serve in the Primary Presidency gives me a certain amount of bias toward the children, but seeing as I love and adore children and their ability to teach us and have long before my call, lets disregard that bias.
While sitting in Sacrament Meeting with my husbands arm around me, freezing from the AC and trying to focus on the Atonement and Our Savior, while reminding me husband that tickling me is not a very reverent activity is well... distracting. Don't get me wrong my husband is a good man with a testimony, but can be at times just a tad fidgety. So in all the fuss, tickles, and little voices, what do you think stands out? To me its the children, without a doubt, and that is not a bad thing! This particular blog entry is intended to show you why that, is and can be, a beautiful, and marvelous blessing.
My first example comes from Easter Sunday. You would think that this would be one of the easiest days to focus on the Savior and the Atonement, but after no one eats your Easter Eggs, or touches the Milky Way bunnies you combed town for, and you have to face that annoying roommate before church, it can be a bit of a trial. (And yes, I know I care way too much about ridiculously small things.) Anyway, back on topic. We had gone to choir practice already and were sitting down ready to go, or as ready as I thought I'd be that day, for the Sacrament to be passed. I was indeed distracted, and found myself trying despritly to focus my mind as the Sacred bread and water were passed. When one of the children behind us began to express her undying desire to take the Sacrament, while informed by her parents that she could not take more bread, and that the water would come soon, she still plead for more of one, or just to take the other. My husband was grinning from ear to ear, trying not to laugh as he whispered to me, asking if I heard her. I simply smiled at him and said "We should all be so eager to partake in the blessings of the Sacrament." You see children in their seemingly weak moments can teach us a lesson, and help us stay on the path as we help them to do the same. I am so proud of this little girl, as I am sure Our Father in Heaven is as well.
A couple weeks later the Sacrament was once again being passed in reverence by our exemplary Aaronic Priesthood holders. Once again I sat with my husbands arm lovingly around me, though this time it was not both of us but just my husband who was listening to the children, as I as in a stressed place, searching for comfort and answers rather than where I knew I should be and wanted to be. In the midst of it all, my husband heard one tiny little voice of a young boy, probably one of our Nursery of Sunbeam children say "Mommy, I'm icky!". While this sweet young boy was probably referring to a sticky substance on his hands, he too reminded me of a simple and sweet lesson that Sabbath Day. Each of us finds ourselves at times covered in Spiritual icky. The Atonement made for us by Our dear sweet Savior is that which we are blessed to take part in each Sabbath Day through partaking in the Sacrament. As a loving mother whisks a child with sticky hands down the hall in silence to help wash away the sticky, Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that he provided a way for our sticky sins to be washed away from our souls. All we have to do is recognize, admit, and wash away learning from our mistake. Just as a young child who sees icky, tells Mommy, washes his hands, and learns that particular substance is not to be trifled with and will never be used in such a manner again. May I publicly say, thank you sweet child for that reminder.
My last example today comes from a sweet little boy who sat in front of me not long ago, during the Sacrament. While his family found themselves a bit of everywhere trying to get things together and also partake of the Sacrament he reverently stood beside them toys in hand and as the Sacrament came to him, he partook in reverence and let it pass by without incident. His family spilling here and there, whispering back and forth but he stood firm and reverent. I don't think this takes much interpretation at all. What a great example from someone so small! We too should take from his lesson. What should it matter to us if those around us are distracted? We need not be distracted too. What should it matter if everyone else isn't focused in reverence on the goal and task at hand? We know how and should stand as lights guiding their way. What does it matter if another spills, or stumbles in another way in the journey? While there is nothing wrong with helping where we can, we cannot and should not allow it to distract us, take us from the path or judge them. We can and should stand steadfast and immovable, an example to all as this young boy did.
I know that in life things happen that make it hard to focus, especially on the things that matter most, and will never change. I challenge you however, to look outside yourself next time you find you are distracted and find a child to learn from. These little ones are indeed still close to that thin veil. They are blessed divinely and they do in fact teach us as we help them grow. I thank these children and others who teach me, I thank the parents who teach them, and I thank Heavenly Father, for all the blessings and lessons He gives us, His children. Let us to Desire beyond a doubt the blessings provided us, Let us always remember that we have the ability to be washed clean, and Let us stand steadfast and immovable, as our little children do.
I bear you my testimony that if we do so, we will find joy without end, and we will return to our Heavenly Father with blessings so numerous we cannot count them, nor will we have room enough to receive them. In the Sacred, and Exemplary name of Jesus Christ - Amen
original post: Life as Will's Wife 7/6/11
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