Executive Decision: Mommy's turn.
Welcome, song choosing: 2 kids dancing to "High on the Mountaintop"
1 person accusing another of "stealing" their song.
Lesson: Given by Mommy and Daddy, based on sacrament meeting topic of "Reverence"
1 person stomps out of room crying because we won't let her page through the Friend magazine during the lesson.
1 person argues about how sporting a mohawk could possibly reflect on someone's personal reverence. Good thing the whole argument was only hypothetical.
1 person forcefully pushes brother out of way to make room for dog.
1 person keeps wandering out of the room randomly.
1 person curls up in my lap and continually tells me how tired she is.
2 people have a slight difference of opinion on what the focus of the lesson should be.
4 people (3 pictured) sprawled out in whatever position they deem most comfortable.
<Sigh>
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And that's why I'm feeling a tad bit hypocritical to be teaching an Enrichment night on family home evenings this week.
On the bright side, our quality may be fleeting sometimes, but consistency we've got down...and that's got to count for something.
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"Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33). Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our own homes." Elder David A. Bednar
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We just started FHE again. We are not consistent, but we keep on trying and Elder Bednars talk also keeps us through the evening!! We talked about our Spirtual Foundation from the Friend Magazine and it gave us a great opportunity to teach our children why we need to be more consistent and that we need their help in reminding us!!
ReplyDeleteNo other comment from a General Conference made me feel better than what Elder Bednar noted in this same talk about their often efforts seemingly futile attempts at FHE:
ReplyDeleteNow and then verses of scripture were read amid outbursts such as “He’s touching me!” “Make him stop looking at me!” “Mom, he’s breathing my air!” Sincere prayers occasionally were interrupted with giggling and poking. And with active, rambunctious boys, family home evening lessons did not always produce high levels of edification. At times Sister Bednar and I were exasperated because the righteous habits we worked so hard to foster did not seem to yield immediately the spiritual results we wanted and expected.
Light a brilliant flash of light all my FHE frustrations suddenly disappeared...if it could happen to Elder Bednar-maybe I wasn't such a horrible father afterall.
Thanks for your insights and thoughts!
Thanks for the reminder that none of us are perfect and it's really the effort that counts!
ReplyDelete