A Change of Heart

For the past few weeks I've been struggling with the busyness of life.
I am tired of cooking meals that are half way eaten and not appreciated.
I am tired of cleaning mountains of laundry only to turn around and find the hampers full again.
I am tired of toothpaste blobs clinging on the clean hand towel--the one I just put out an hour earlier.
I am tired of keeping floors swept, cleaned and when needed, mopped up from the jelly spill from lunch.
I am tired of keeping track of school assignments.
I am tired of doing anything that is mundane, menial, or routine.


I want to be selfish. I want to do what I want, when I want to. I want to escape, just for a little while anyway.
Although, I really don't want this. Really, I just want to feel like life has meaning, a purpose. I've lost sight of why I'm doing all these little things that add up and are called life.


Thankfully, yesterday as I was absent mindedly checking some websites I like to look at and I came upon this quote:

"Homemaking is the highest, most noble profession to which a woman might aspire."
Flora Benson, quote by her husband, Ezra Taft Benson, October 1986

I've read this before, yet this time it struck a chord. I came to realize that I had been looking at my blessed job of being a Mother as a burden, definitely not a noble profession.


As I felt a peace come about me, I decided to look at homemaking in a more joyous way; this became my goal.

Oh, I don't think many things will change. I'll still cook, clean, wash and correct papers, yet now, I have a greater focus. My vision is clearer, I'm building a home in which my children will learn about Jesus Christ. I'm here to teach them why we are here and what we need to do, to one day live with Him again.
I will build that home to be a lovely place, one where they'll want to be.
I won't read stories just to get them over with so the kids will be quiet and go to bed, I'll read them to build joyous times and memories.

I remembered today what M. Russell Ballard said about motherhood,
"I surely know that there is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood."
and "What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, priorities them above all else." April 2008

I was reminded by his insightful words about this grand responsibility I've undertaken.

"It is crucial to focus on our children for the short time we have them with us and to seek, with the help of the Lord, to teach them all we can before they leave our homes." and
"Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction."

So I'll cling to the shining moments and work through the hard times, it's all up to me--because I choose to be a noble homemaker.