I am Strong in Christ : A mother’s perspective

After journaling about teaching my children to BE STRONG!, I have been thinking about my own strength as a woman.

For example, I may feel strong and accomplished having endured a hard trial.
But then … BAM! a different sort of trial comes along.
We seek strength from the Lord to endure and become more wise.
ah-ha … I am Strong!
BAM! a different sort of trial comes along.
Prayer, digging deep from that spiritual reserve…
Gain experience and am carried by our Savior’s Atonement.

Ah – interesting… Perhaps the trials come right when I’m thinking it’s me that is STRONG.
The reality is that we are only strong when we rely on the STRENGTH of the LORD.

Ammon had it figured out as shared by Elder Bednar (love the Bible Dictionary definition of Grace too):

In thinking of major life trials… strength has to come only from God. There is no way I can do it all on my own.

In every day matters, sometimes I think I’m doing all I possibly can.
But… what if I saw the potential of really utilizing the Atonement to be STRONG in simple matters…

Be Strong... when I feel discouraged about a messy house … feel too tired to work.
Remember the fulfillment that comes from work accomplished.
Pray for desire to ‘do your duty with a heart full of song.’
Take action – clean 10 things in the kitchen. Getting started may be the hardest part.

Be Strong… when all i want is a moment of rest and quiet …
and it happens to be an intense, in-your-face-day for a 4-year-old.
Stop. Remember how blessed I am to be here in mortality with these little ones.
Dig Deep from that spiritual and peaceful reserve you captured at another time…
Choose to take time for one-on-one… perhaps this will be more rejuvenating than getting that kiddo to leave you alone.
Jesus replied, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:13-14).

Be Strong… when children are complaining about a parenting decision… Be Strong.
“Dear little one. My purpose as a mother is to help lead this family back to Heavenly Father. I have been given a commandment and a stewardship to honor this calling. I am not perfect, but I strive to listen to the Holy Spirit to guide my decisions as a mother. Please consider your responsibility to Honor thy Mother & Thy Father. Together, with God, we can make wise choices that will lead us to eternal life. Let’s work on this together.”

Be Strong… when the Holy Ghost whispers guidance in my ear… Listen… and Obey.
The Holy Ghost whispers that there is too much noise in our home. Ok – let’s turn off media/screens.
Let’s gather together to sing hymns of praise … share testimony … read the Word of God. Pray together.
The Holy Ghost whispers that a specific child needs some extra love and concern… take the time to listen!
etc.

Be Strong… don’t always do what is easiest… (oh, this is a hard one)
Teaching the kids to work and follow through and do a job well…
vs.
Pretending that children’s chores don’t exist on those hard challenging days…
because… ya know… it’s easier in the moment that way.
Be Strong… follow through… Expect achievement (especially on bathroom duty day!)

Be Strong… optimism over murmuring…
I’m a pretty irritable pregnant mama of 5+.
There is more murmuring going on recently than I’d care to admit.
There is so much to be grateful for … focus on optimism … on blessings … on tender mercies.

Just a few examples of things that are hard for me lately.

So what about those women who have gone before… IN THE STRENGTH OF THE LORD.
I’m amazed at the hardships people have endured… and still endure.
My heart hurts with their hearts.
I know God has a plan for each of us, but my mortal self sometimes sees some trials as ‘too difficult to bear’.
Too difficult to bear alone is right…
But to rely on God… there is the answer.
The lesson I hear is PREPARE…
prepare NOW by relying on God in good and rough times so that when trials seem unbearable,
we know and recognize the tender mercies and Grace of God.

Seriously… this following journal entry amazes me.
So many women have been called to BE STRONG at their weakest mortal moments.
Reminds me of the quote,
“You never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have.”

So many principles to think about related to STRENGTH and “waiting on the Lord.”

I guess my thoughts lead up to
my desire to be that righteous mother
who is an example of
virtue, kindness, courage, and faith.
Wow – that sounds like a lot.
But the KEY –
rely on the Lord for Strength and together we WILL accomplish miracles.

p.s. I wrote this a week or so ago and sat on it for a while. Next day – hard one. Felt that perhaps being strong was not my thing … after all, I still feel like a little girl. Don’t give up… life is a process … learning to live, speak, and act with the Atonement in mind takes great practice and faith.