Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Lessons from on High

“… You were taught and prepared for the circumstances you would personally encounter in mortality. … Your memory of premortal life would be kept from you to assure that it would be a valid test, but there would be guidance given to show you how to live." - Richard G. Scott



I found this quote this week as I was doing my visiting teaching. Sometimes I find the monthly messages to be trite or so basic that it seems silly to tell the sisters something they obviously already know and understand. However, this month the topic is on the premortal life and I found the above quote especially poignant at this exact moment in my life.



Why, you ask? Well, I believe this quote to be true. And if I believe it, I would really like to remember that day when the Lord taught and prepared me to survive a week with five small kids while my husband was off to Scout Camp. What kind of tips would the Lord have given me? What kind of guidance? Surely it would have been something like, "Sarah, I would exhort you to eat out each night so you won't have to stress about cooking and the clean-up associated with it." OR "Thou shalt arrange your days so your children will have a nap ensuring thou will have the much needed mental break you need so thou wouldst not to want to murder them by the end of the day." OR, maybe it would be just a basic review of the 10 standard commandments,

1.Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.
Easy enough . . . but is the TV a God? Cuz I'm thinking of how quickly each morning I ask the boys if they want to watch a movie to occupy themselves?

2. Thou shalt not bow down to any graven image.
Yeah, that's a good reminder since I have literally fantacized about my beloved Coke and how it would REALLY get me through this week if I would just partake of its power.

3. Thou shalt not take the Lords' name in vain.
I will not say that, but can I slide by with a few "$#i&"s or "d@m*"s? I mean c'mon, it's a lot of LONG days with my sweet try-ers-of-my-patience. I'm not saying it's right, but I may slip every now and then, like when the boys dump half the bath water on the floor.

4. Keep the Sabbath day holy.
Hey, no prob since I know that once I make it through sacrament meeting someone else will be responsible for 4 out of 5 of my kids!

5. Honor thy mother and father.
I bet this advice was so I could focus on the fact that my mom has survived having 5 kids and she had her fair share of long days while my dad worked multiple jobs or was going to school. It was a lesson, for me, that must have stuck well with me, but bounces right off my kids as I plead for them to be more obedient this week!

6. Thou shalt not kill.
K. Got it. Keep reminding myself of it. Haven't forgotten it . . . yet.

7. No adultery.
Seriously? Who would have me this week? Showering is a treat, make-up's a luxery and how hot is it to have an overweight nursing mom of five as your liason lover? I'm definitely not in the market as I realize every day how much more I love Tyler and how much he contributes to our family, but also, who'd have me and my entourage?

8. Thou shalt not steal.
Cat naps, extra sleep, or alone time. CHECK!

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness.

I would not lie about how wonderfully energetic my kids are whilst sucking the energy and patience right out of me. I mean, it's kinda amazing, considering how blasted hot it's been this week (today's 108). Ick.

10. Thou shalt not covet.
I know this one will be a challenge since I know Tyler's nights are uninterrupted ones (hopefully) and he's been diaper-duty free for a week. BUT, he has also been missing us and has missed some good times this week, like pool time with the kids, Beauty and the Beast last night with the girls (at Spring Mountain Ranch), and the Camp Rock party we're throwing tonight. [See, I'm trying to focus on the positive!]

Anyhow, I know I'll survive and I do believe I was prepared to face the trials and challenges and super-spunky kids I am raising. After all, we're not given more than we can handle. AND, if we try our best, I believe, we're blessed. THAT is why Tyler texted last night that he'll be home late tonight instead of tomorrow afternoon. Halle-freakin'-lu-jah!

7 comments:

chanel said...

because I choose not to throw up on the women I visit teach ( great of me I know)I wrote notes this month and THAT QUOTE is what I specifically included- it is powerful to think isn't it? YOUR interpretation is CLASSIC. I was wondering the same things- what kind of prep I was given and how do I reach to USE some of that on high guidance, but you put it in great perspective- LOVE IT! You're so clever- sorry that sounds like im 99 years old, but its the best I can do right now.

Angela said...

You are SO clever and I just love reading your posts. How do you come up with these things?? All I can do is bow to the master of creativity and offer my services anytime you might need a break, a little babysitting, etc. Good luck!!

robin said...

funny, Jake takes off next week but I think it's going to be an easy one since he's taking 3 of my 4 boys! YEAH!!!

Beth said...

Yep, you should write a book. The Erma Bombeck of your generation.

annilee said...

LOL! You are too funny! Especially the adultry one!

Troy and Nancee Tegeder said...

OK. Sarah, that had Troy and I ROLLING!!! You are too funny. Miss hearing your sense of humor more. You are a better woman than me; I could never let Troy go to Scout Camp for a week and I only have one kid.

chris jenkins said...

you are too clever girlfriend! lisa and i got a big kick out of reading your post. love your sense of humor :) thanks for the late night laughs.