Sister Sarah Call
Young Women Secretary
These past couple weeks have been a roller coaster with Lily. In the process, I have taught her a few things and she has taught me a few things. First, finding ways to teach a two year old the gospel is hard. Our come follow me on Sunday has become pretty short due to a two year old getting antsy, running around, and being as noisy as possible. We have tried using felt fabric scripture figures, which turned into a battle of trying to keep her from standing on the background boards and bending them. We have tried a few other things, but the most helpful has been the Book of Mormon videos the church put out. We watched the Abinidai video this last Sunday. Throughout the video Lily was climbing all over me, and finally Zane took an unwilling Lily and made her fold her arms on his lap. After it was finally over, Zane's mom called. Lily then proceeded to tell her Grandma all about Abinidai in the fire and the people being baptized in the water. It was a huge blessing to me to know that through all our efforts, she is learning! It is also difficult to get her to participate family prayers at night. Then one day she was sitting on a stool in the kitchen and insisted I stop so she could say a prayer all by herself.
In the October 2014 general conference Tad R. Callister said, "As parents, we are to be the prime gospel teachers and examples for our children—not the bishop, the Sunday School, the Young Women or Young Men, but the parents. As their prime gospel teachers, we can teach them the power and reality of the Atonement—of their identity and divine destiny—and in so doing give them a rock foundation upon which to build. When all is said and done, the home is the ideal forum for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ."
This quote is even more prevalent now because of our social distancing circumstances with COVID-19. We don't have church right now to teach our children the gospel. At times it is so hard to have them pay attention and listen. Our efforts are not in vain. Our examples and persistence will bless our children's lives.
Now to what Lily has taught me this week. Lately my adorable sweet little Lily has turned into a destructive and moody little monster. We have had several tantrums, and even with all the fun activities we have for her to do, she would rather get into all the things she's not supposed to play with. My patience has been running thin and I feel so frustrated with her most of the day. I've been praying to be able to be more patient, but I was so desperate the other day I started searching the web on "Why my 2 year old is misbehaving so much." I kept thinking there must be some magical parenting solution to dealing with my child. A few suggestions came up that I had already tried or was already doing, but one thing that kept popping up was be patient with your child. Ugh. Being patient is so difficult!
I found a couple scriptures about patience. The first is Alma 7:23.
23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.
The second is Proverbs 14:29.
29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Patience is so important in all circumstances. Showing patience is a Christlike attribute that can help us have a greater love for others. Patience can be more easily achieved when we focus on christlike love and putting ourselves in another's shoes. Whether it is dealing with a 2 year old, enduring a trial, waiting for a prayer to be answered, or just dealing with difficult people, patience is key. We can pray to have more patience and the Lord will be right there to help us.
I hope you all are doing well and am excited for the day we can all go to church together again.
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