More Diligent...

I read a conference talk by Elder David A. Bednar and it struck home with me. I ended up giving a talk on it a few weeks ago in church and still keep these teachings close to my heart. I'd like to share:

The definition of diligent is: consistent, careful, effort, persiverence. Perservering and careful in work.
The definition of concerend is: involved or interested.
Keeping these definitions in mind, how do we become more diligent and concerned? Elder Bednar says:
"We can become more diligent and concerned at home as we are more faithful in learning, living, and loving the restored gospel of Jesus Christ."
He goes on to make 3 suggestions

Suggestion #1: Express love and show it.

"Brethren and sisters, when was the last time you took your eternal companion in your arms and said, "I love you". Parents, when was the last time you sincerely expressed love to your children? Children, when was the last time you told your parents that you love them?"
"We should remember that saying "I love you" is only a beginning. We need to say it, we neet to mean it, and most importantly we need consistently to show it. We need to both express and demonstrate love."

I believe that Christ is the perfect example of both expressing and demonstrating love.
-He healed the sick
-raised the dead
-made the blind see
-the lame to walk
but most importantly was the Garden of Gethsemone where Christ suffered by taking upon Himself the sins of the world. And then the Atonement.

president Thomas S. Monson recently counseled: "Often we assume that the people around us must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know....We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are ommited from our relationships with those who mean the most to us."

Love, when shown in a respectful and appropriate way, can be a powerful influence. Bednar says:
"Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strenght and casts out fear. Such love is the desire of every human soul."

Wow! I truly believe this without a doubt!

Suggestion #2: Bear testimony and live it

I have never shared my testimony with my husband. I feel a little ashamed after reading this but also how ackword I would probably feel. My husband and I don't share personal feelings very often if at all. He's just not that kind of person i guess although I wish he was. Elder Bednar says, "Within the walls of our own homes, we can and should bear pure testimony of the divinity and reality of the Father and the Son, of the great Plan of Happiness and of the Restoration."

Here is the answer to why sharing your testimony is so important:
"Feeling the power, the edification, and the constancy of testimony from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. Such testimony fortifies faith and provides direction. Such testimony generates light in a world that grows increasingly dark. Such testimony is the source of an eternal perspective and of enduring peace."

Suggestion 3#: Be consistent

Being consistent is very important. If we are not, it will cause confusion and instability.
Elder Bednar said, "The hypocrisy in our lives is most readily descerned and causes the greatest destruction within our own homes."
"A public statement of love when the private actions of love are absent at home is hypocrisy--and weakens the foundation of a great work. Publicly declaring testimony when faithfulness and obedience are missing within our own homes is hypocrisy--and undermines the foundation of a great work. the commandment "Thou shalt not bear false witness" applies most pointedly to the hypocrite in each of us. We need to be and become more consistent. "But be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity,in spirit, in faith, in purity."

I learned a lot from Elder Bednar's talk. One thing that stood out to me the most was consistency. How important is that! Especially when you are a wife and mother. I have realized the inconsistency in my own life and it bothers me that it's there. Just another thing I can gladly add to my list of corrections I need in my life.

If we can take the drive and commitment that we put into our 9 to 5 jobs and put it into our family and home life, what do think could happen? Is it possible we could be happier? Blessed? Just maybe the divorce rate or even suicide could drop way down possibly to zero? What do you think?

Opening Remarks

I am a believer in that writting can be a source of expression and closer to the moods and feelings one can have through out life. I have a wonderful little family and not much that i can really complain about at this time. However, there are those moments that cause anger and frustration, excitment and happiness, and humility. Instead of bottleing it up inside or bursting out in frustration, I've decided to express it in a personal blog. Please understand that this will be my personal thoughts, feelings, battles and victories of my life and in no way intend to offend anyone. Consider this a look into the diary of my heart and mind.