Sunday, January 11, 2009
A Mother Of Influence
Well, I have been working hard to keep fighting. It can be a full time job not to fall into a pit of rescue heroes and not be able to get out, especially in the winter when that and every other thing in this house is not put away....but it is a New Year and I am a new woman (or at the very least committed to be more like the one I used to be). Many of you will not be surprised (and I am sure my husband will be thrilled) to hear that I ruled out going back to school. I have lots of reasons but the biggest is for the moment I am needed here, not just part of me but all of me. I am reading a book called Mother's of Influence (fabulous) and I was touched by something that was said about Barbara Bush, "because Barbara Bush chose motherhood over a career, she gave the world two sons who have served America with honor." Now I know I have offended a whole lot of you. My democrat friends would argue that the men of honor thing is a bunch of hog wash and my working pals would say I am judging them for not being home...Now, now girls this is not what I am saying at all. First off to my democrat pals...The Bush men may not be perfect, but I think we can do worse and perfect or not they have chosen to serve America to the best of their abilities. And to my working friends, my friends that go to school and just my friends who don't feel good about being home all of the time...I am talking about me here, just me no one else. I feel like the Lord wants ME to be a mother of influence. I mean he gave me 5 healthy boys and a busy husband, I may feel useless at times but there is some major possibility here for greatness. No it probably isn't my greatness, but it is their's and that is going to be the focus of the majority of my life. Not that I will stop educating, I just need to educate myself for the time being. I want to set a precedence with my kids for just being "here". I want them to say to their pals, "well, we can go to my house, I know mom will have food." It would be so easy for me to go to school, so easy to travel the world feeding the hungry, I could leave tomorrow on a full time mission. But, I am needed here. I have a family to educate, feed and teach the gospel and that is what I am going to do. But, no more of this half here half asleep mom. As another one of my favorite running songs says, "I'm a survivor I'm not going to give up!" Wish me luck!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
You are such an inspiration to me. I love you dearly and I am so glad that I can call you crying. Thank you for listening to me.
Heather, you are always my inspiration! One of my goals this year is to be a better mother for my children too. I'm going to read that book you mentioned. You are definitely a mother of influence, even when you don't realize it. Thank you for the post.
Heather, when you see greatness in your husband and boys, it is a reflection of your greatness because you are a mother influenced by Christ and a mother who tries as hard as anyone I know to let the spirit dictate your actions. You GO!!
FYI My favorite mother of influence book is "Laddie, A True Blue Story" by Gene Stratton Porter.
There is nothing you said that I can't say, "I totally agree with you, what a smart idea..." However, I am a little disappointed that the education is going to be postponed. Don't give up on it! I just attended a fireside where President Monson was THE speaker addressing College students. He quoted someone (I can't remember who) who said something to the effect of; your children come to you like a brand new computer (in the fact that there is a lot of RAM, and the only programs that are installed are the ones the computer comes with), but with many more capabilities. Everything that you program into them is there to stay and from ages 1-8 are when you are going to have the most influence. Heather, I feel like that is where you stand, with boys between ages 1 and 8 you have an incredible responsibilities and power. There aren't very many people in the world you have the power of influence that you have, especially because you stay at home, and your boys can say, "C'mon guys, my mom's home, and she'll have food." I know I'm speaking to the choir, but don't EVER underestimate that.
you are a great mother heather, everyone sees it. I'm glad that those boys have someone like you to be the inspiration in their lives.
Keep it up. The time will come when school will be a reality again. ;-)
Wow, Heather. You are an amazing person just being a mom of 5 boys, let alone all of the other things you are involved in. I applaud your desire to continue your growth and education. I try to remember that by small and simple things great things shall come to pass....especially when I only get 10 minutes to read during the day.
Thanks for that post it was just what I needed to hear also! Any your house is looking lovely, I am excited to follow it progress!
I totally agree with you. My mom was a SAHM and still is. It was nice to know (and still is) that I can reach her at home most any time of the day when I need her. I have always felt strongly about staying home raising kids. It is important and I think you are doing the right thing...and the hardest thing. Good for you!
Emily
Your My mother of Influence. I LOVE YOU ALOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kyle.
P.S.: Are you OK about me commenting on your blog.
Post a Comment