Have you ever thought about what is really important. With so many people around me being affected by cancer and many other health issues, it drives home the importance of family. Although, we are here to make it through this earthly life, we have the support and love of family. Why does satan try to side track us from what is important? Yes we are to work hard provide for our families and be successful, but to who's standards is success measured. I think we have to turn to the Lord and he will help us know what our measure of success is.
An education is important without one it is very hard to provide for our family, it is also the only thing we take with us, besides the love of our family, when we die. We can't take the riches and possessions of this world so why not take the time for family. Then there are good things that can be used for bad as well and can take away from our families and from God.
I find that even with my own family that sometimes the things of the world interrupt our scripture study, prayer and meditation time. I find sometimes, well a lot of the time, that the stuff that I'm doing isn't necessarily bad, but it takes time away from my husband and kids.
What kind of message do I send my children if the only thing of importance to me in this world is based on working and surviving day to day. Do I teach them about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do I affect their lives in a positive way. What about the lives of the people around me do I touch them for good or do I run over them or neglect them. Do I pay attention to what Jesus would do if he were here.
I think satan works so hard to distract us so that the family will fall apart and he can steal those who are struggling away to his side.
I feel strongly about, The Family: A Proclamation to the World an excerpt I wish to share with you is:
"The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
I continue to strive everyday to live the life I know I should. To live to become like Christ.