Sunday, October 7, 2012

Treasure...



Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
-Mathew 6:19-21

I was able to attend the General Releif Society Broadcast for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Twice a year the we have opportunity to listen to church's leaders. These meetings are online, in church buildings, on the radio, and on tv. It was wonderful. I enjoyed listening to the female leaders and the messages that were shared. 
One talk stood out to me the most. For the life of me at the moment I cannot remember who it was who gave this talk. But she talked about the women who pulled handcarts across the plains. What a tremendous job that was! Her talk was really good. It got me thinking about those handcarts. They were not very big. They only brought the necessities with them. No real comforts from home. It they got to bring a luxury item it was small. So here I sit. Surrounded by my things. My comfortable home. A television, computer, iPad, and iPhone. A comfy bed, nice furniture, clean clothes and a full fridge. I have all these great things and I'm not going to lie, I complain. I complain about a messy house, laundry, my whining kids, being tired, money, and so many others things.  

I need to remember those who came before me who had so little and sacrificed so much. They gave up the comfort of their things for a better life for their families. They were human so I am sure they complained at times but they did not give up. Those strong women are such an example of strength. They knew that what they were doing was so much more important than things. 

The speaker also talked about what is etched in your heart. Those things are the real things that you can take with you in the end. Got me thinking about what it etched in my heart or what my treasures are. I need to do better about refining the treasures that are most important to me.

 My family is my number one treasure. Do I treat them like the precious thing that they are? I have said this so many times but I get so caught up in the getting through the day that I miss the moments that matter. It is important to treat the people I want to share my life with the very best that I can. 

The faith is also a treasure. I think it is a treasure that many of us hide. I am not ashamed to be Mormon. I believe in Christ, he is my savior. Religion can be a tricky subject to talk about. I think I automatically go on the defense when Mormonism comes up. I am grateful for the church in my life. It is a constant in a world of change. I have always had a firm foundation because of the gospel. I have never wondered who I am or where I am going. I am a daughter of God and I will return to live with him one day! It was said in General Confrence this weekend "I am a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it."

I think a treasure that gets worked and reworked in my heart is me. Maybe this won't sounds right but I'll try to word it the best way possible. I think it is importation to love yourself. Not in an all consuming, put yourself first in every situation kind of way. But more in a comfortable, happy in your own skin kind of way. We all can get so concerned with how people view us. How we look, dress and act become all we care about. I do not want my daughters to grow up with a mother who is more concerned about how they look, dress and act and completely miss teaching them that how we treat others is more important than how we look. A confident smile, kind heart and positive attitude will be worth more than any piece of clothing you ever put on. Service to others will bring you more happiness with yourself than any hair style. And that peace with your own self will make you happier than dozens of friends. Learning to value yourself is a long process. We are hard on ourselves. I am my biggest critic. I am slowly learning to love myself. 

These are just a few treasures etched in my heart. I need to focus on the things I can take with me and not the things that are just that, things. 


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