This morning I read the Conference address given by M. Russell Ballard. I must admit I cried. It addressed the areas where I seem to feel empty. I love filling the role of being a mom but I must admit that lately I have struggled with the feeling of being unnoticed and not appreciated. I know this comes from my children being much too small to understand how to say "thank you"... I need to realize they do appreciate it but can't understand or express it at their age. Second, I have a busy husband. I know he appreciates what I do and I need to just console myself to the fact that being a mother and wife is not a thankless job. Just because we don't hear how much we are needed doesn't mean we aren't (I just need to reassure myself of this every day). My heart goes out to my own mom. There must have been thousands of times she felt this same way. I come from a famliy of eight. She is amazing. I have always been grateful for everything she has done for me but I haven't told her near enough. She contined (and still does) to sacrifice her whole entire life for our family. I wonder how many times she must have felt unappreciated. That's just it. She has always been valued in the most incredible way by me, my dad and my other siblings but have we told her enough? I don't think a mother can ever get tired of hearing how much they are valued, loved and appreciated.
I just wanted to hightlight a few points of Elder Ballards message that hit home to me.
1. He (our Father in Heaven) has a plan for His righteous daughters to receive the highest blessing of eternity.
2. There is no one perfect way to be a good mother.
3. We need to remember that the full commitment of motherhood and of putting children first can be difficult. First, recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.
4. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting done a little less. Take time to listen, laugh and to play together.
5. Find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well, and if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less to give to others, even to your children.
6. I hope you never wonder if you have worth in the sight of the Lord.
