Mothers Who Know

Last night I was tired and struggled to have patience with the kids. Unfortunately with all of the stress I had been feeling from the events of the day and certain upcoming events I blew a gasket and sent them all to bed. My nerves were shot and I needed some strength. A phrase from Julie B. Beck's conference address that I had heard the previous day on the radio entered my mind.

"Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world's goods in order to spend more time with their children - more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying."

I wish my story had a happy ending and I could say that I went straight up to the kids room and spent some time with them reading the scriptures, singing songs and praying....but I didn't. I was still to distracted from the events of the day to change my behavior. I had sent my children to bed hungry. Not from lack of food but from lack of prayers, scripture study and time.

As the night continued on I thought more and more about the phrase "less distraction." Unfortunately I allow myself to be easily distracted from those things that should take priority in my life such as scripture study, temple attendance, exercise etc. So in the year 2008 I am going to allow less distraction in my life and focus my days on those things that will spiritually and physically feed me and my family. Anyone up for the challenge with me?