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| ©Darrell Wyatt |
I've tried. I've really tried. But no matter what I do, Sunday and I just do not get along. Not only do we not get along, I'm pretty sure Sunday hates me. With a burning passion.
I had a perfectly nice, relaxing weekend. I spent lots of time with my family, doing lots of fun things. I went to bed reasonably happy last night. And then I woke up, and it was Sunday. And it was all downhill from there. My poor kids couldn't find their clothes fast enough or do their hair nicely enough or talk softly enough or breathe the right way. When we got to Sacrament Meeting, I actually said to my husband, "Why do we even bother to bring our kids to church? We should just come by ourselves." I can't believe I said that. But what's worse is that I really meant it. And it was only the opening song. Sunday hates me.
There's just something that happens when I'm trying so hard to make sure that we're all doing the right thing. I know that it's the adversary, trying to get his foot in the door, making it difficult for us to make the right choices. It seems like on Sunday, he not only gets his foot in, he pitches a tent.
...and all this iniquity had come upon the people because they did yield themselves unto the power of Satan. (3 Nephi 7:5)
As much as I'd like to blame my relationship with Sunday on Satan, I really can't. I'm not a horribly crabby monster of a mom on Sundays because Satan makes me. I'm a horribly crabby monster of a mom on Sundays because I let him have power over me. I have the power to stop it. I could say that all of this happens because by Sunday I'm so completely exhausted that I don't have the energy to keep my guard up, but that's not really it. Satan does know when we're doing things that please our Father in Heaven, and he will do everything he can to stop us. The sad part is that he knows how much power that I, as a mother, possess. He doesn't even have to work on my children - he just gives me a little nudge and I do all his dirty work for him.
So, now that I'm aware of what I'm doing, and more importantly what Satan is doing, I will resolve that today be my last battle with Sunday. What happened today will just be thought of as the storm before the calm. That's what Sundays should be - calm and peaceful and reverent. And so, with a little more effort and a lot of prayer, that's just what they are going to become.
OK, Heather, here's the thing: I'm thinking that today will not be your last battle with Sunday. Satan now knows your resolve since you put it in writing (he can read you know) and will now do more than "nudge." He will make sure that there are plenty more storms ahead. What you need to do is never give up on your resolve. Know that the storms are coming and do your best to weather them and not be discouraged. Even now, there are lots of times that I would love to play "hookie" from church---- though not so often now that I am no longer Bishop ;-). Even this morning, I thought I would love to stay home. Arthur (my pet name for RA) was acting up and I had not done something that I should have done and didn't want to admit it to the Ward Council. Anyway, like you, I went because I knew it was the right thing to do. It was a GREAT day. I was so uplifted and strengthened. Anyway, this is a long way of saying that the storms will continue but the Master of the Earth and Sky will help you prevail over the storm...week after week...after week, then the week after that.
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you and am, once again, humbled by your wisdom.
You're right, of course. Hopefully I can at least get through a few Sundays without wanting to get rid of the kids, though.
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