Tuesday, January 18, 2011

What are my priorities?

Tonight a friend and I went to a church meeting for all the women ( it is called Relief Society ), we have it once a month, and the topic this month was about ORGANIZATION. I know...something I need! It was a good class and even at my ripe old age of 51(just kidding), I realized a few things that I could do to simplify my life. Here are some of the notes that I took and things that meant a lot to me.**********************************************************************************************************************************

"I have said lately that women are like lionesses at the gate of the home. Whatever happens in that home and family happens because she cares about it and it matters to her. She guards that gate, and things matter to that family if they matter to her. For example, if the lioness at the gate believes in the law of tithing, tithing will be paid in that family. If that family has a humble little portion of ten pesos coming in, that lioness will safeguard the one peso if tithing is important to her. If that lioness at the gate knows about renewing her baptismal covenants with God, she will be in sacrament meeting on Sunday, and she will prepare her children to be there. They will be washed, cleaned, combed, and taught about that meeting and what happens there. It isn’t a casual event, but it is serious to her, and it will be serious to them.

Sisters, you are each like the lioness at the gate. This means that there has to be some prioritizing. I was taught years ago that when our priorities are out of order, we lose power. If we need power and influence to carry out our mission, then our priorities have to be straight.

Years ago I began using a system that works for me, and maybe it will work for you. There was a time when I needed to prioritize, and in one of those sacred meetings between me and the Lord, He gave me three categories that I have worked from, and they have been a guide in my life. The categories are the essential things, the necessary things, and the nice-to-do things. I started writing those things down. I asked, “What has to go in the category of essential?”

We have talked about being the lioness at the gate and how important it is to safeguard that home, that family, to have that kind of power. We discussed that nothing really powerful happens in a home or a family if the lioness doesn’t care about it or invest in it. To move the Lord’s work forward, we have to have a powerful faith, a strong faith. We need stronger families and homes and we are to seek out and help those who are in need.

We know that when our priorities are out of order, we lose power. It takes personal revelation every day to help us prioritize and re-prioritize and keep at bay the influences of the world that would draw us from what we are to do."

The teacher's lesson came from a talk by Julie B. Beck in April 29, 2010

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  It was a great meeting, I think the part that I loved the most is ...how powerful our faith and prayers can be, in raising and teaching our families. I personally know that when I put the Lord first, that everything else in my home and life seem to fall in place. There is a better spirit in our home.
I have always thought our homes need to be protected... there are many things out there in the world trying to dissolve the family. It is vital that we stay close to our Heavenly Father and know what is essential, necessary and nice-to-do in our lives. If you ever mixed up about your priorities, then just ask your sweet little children or grandchildren (they have such a clearer view), and they will quickly set us on the right path! I am grateful for this class and everyone that participated in it. Yes, life is all about learning, and no matter what age you are...there is still a lot to learn out there! 

"Success is only another form of failure, if we forget what our priorities should be."  ~ Harry Lloyd

"Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever."  ~ Keri Russell

"Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work."  ~ H. L. Hunt

 

 

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