In the beginning, God asked for one who would be our Savior. One who would redeem all mankind so we could return to our Heavenly Father’s presence. Jesus answered with, “Here am I, send me.” (Abraham 3:27)
Several months ago at a ward conference, my stake president (a leader in my church) asked us if we could say, “Here am I,” when the Lord asks us to be willing and ready mothers determined to teach our children in truth and righteousness.
I have thought so much about that. As he spoke, my whole heart said, “Yes!”
It’s not the first time I’ve heard that phrase used in that way. In fact, there are conference talks you can find with a similar theme, but especially as I have been pondering motherhood, and all it entails, it really touched my heart.
Motherhood is not easy. Most of the time it is downright hard. But oh so wonderful.
I learned a long time ago to not worry about how many band-aids were being used, but to see a child in front of me that looks to me as that safe, loving person that can make “owies” better; sometimes with just a hug and a special mother’s kiss.
When we sit down to read books together and I feel my children snuggling up to me, not just sitting by me, it brings such a warmth to my soul.
We had a picnic out on the back lawn together after a family outing the other day and it was so peaceful that I felt like I couldn’t get enough. Everyone was talking and laughing with each other. One child was daring another to see if she could eat her pizza while doing flips on the tramp. Yes she can. And yes, we picked up pizza on the way home for our picnic.
When times are sweet and wonderful like that I store away those memories for when times are not so easy. When a child is refusing to do their kitchen jobs, or taking FOREVER to do their school work, or magically disappearing the moment my back is turned to go build another Lego contraption. When I hear name-calling or a child is disrespectful to me, their father, or another sibling it really makes me sad and mad. Life is hard sometimes. A lot. But don’t give up.
The Lord said he had a spirit to send down. Who could he send it to that could teach, love, and care for that spirit to help it return home to Him? “Here am I,” I said. I have six of these beautiful little spirits in my home, and I will do everything that I possibly can to help them on their return journey to our Father.
Who will teach these children the gospel? Here am I.
Who will teach them to love God and one another? Here am I.
Who will teach them to serve? Here am I.
Who will teach them to pray? Here am I.
Who will teach them the divine roles of men and women and the wonderful role of the family in God’s eternal plan? Here am I.
Who will teach them to have faith, integrity, and how to gain a testimony? Here am I.
Who will teach them how to recognize, feel, and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit? Here am I.
Who will teach them the scriptures and where to turn when they are in need of answers? Here am I.
Who will bathe them, feed them, and clothe them? Here am I.
Am I perfect? No. I most certainly am not. But you know what is really neat about this whole divine plan of our Father’s? I become more perfect and more like Christ the more I strive to mother my children in the way I feel He wants me to.
Christ served, helped, loved, forgave, taught, healed, and fed (spiritually and physically) those around Him. Isn’t that what we as mothers do? How amazing is that?
There was another that also said, “Here am I.” Lucifer offered himself to be our Savior, but he wanted to do it his own way and receive all the glory for himself.
We must stay close to the Lord through constant prayer and scripture study so that we are sure we are raising our children the way the Lord would have us do.
Are we focusing on God’s plan or do we sometimes get too caught up in what the world’s ideas and views are? Too often I think we are focused on what our kids need to be amazing and successful here on Earth at the expense of what they are going to need for eternity.
We will make mistakes. But as we move forward each day using the atonement to cleanse and uplift us, we can indeed do all things through Christ.
Look around at your family. Picture your Heavenly Father asking who will help those dear children return to Him?
I hope you will answer, “Here am I.”