The Big Things

This morning didn't quite go as planned. It was the end of the week, the kids were grumpy, and I had been awake for three nights with a sick babe. My patience level was not where it should have been and I got pretty grumpy over silly little things. Just as we were sitting down to read scriptures, one of the kids muttered, "Boooooor-ing." Then a younger sibling decided it would be funny to copy them and I threw up my arms in defeat. The scriptures went away and I started talking to them about the morning and how I expected them to do the little things that I asked without complaining (pack backpacks, practice piano etc.). I told them that if they know how to be obedient when I ask small things of them, then it will be easier to be obedient later when I need to ask a big thing of them. As we were discussing this issue my thoughts were turned to our Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost touched my heart and reminded me of a great lesson. I immediately quit scolding and once I changed the tone of my voice I was able to teach the children a great principle! 

In the few minutes before we had to rush out the door to catch the bus we talked about how our Heavenly Father expects us to do little things each day like pray to him, study our scriptures, and show Charity and love for others. As we practice obeying these little things each day we are happier and it is easier for us to obey the big things later! Sometimes Heavenly Father asks little things of us, and other times he asks great things of us that can seem impossible to do. But when we are asked to serve in a calling that might be difficult or push us out of our comfort zone, or asked to follow a big commandment that might seem hard, or go through a big trial that will strengthen our faith, it will be easier for us to do if we have already learned to obey the little things. We will be able to trust in our loving Heavenly Father when He asks us to go through those hard things and we will be blessed.

We didn't exactly read any scriptures, but together we were able to learn a great principle that I hope they will always remember. After giving them each a big hug and apologizing, they rushed to catch their bus as it pulled up to the end of the lane.

"When we love the Lord, obedience ceases to be a burden. Obedience becomes a delight. When we love the Lord, we seek less for things that benefit us and turn our hearts toward things that will bless and uplift others."
~Joseph B. Wirthlin