The way the church regards the purpose and responsibility of the family was all new to her. She had grown up in an unhappy and a broken home. She has two children of her own, but she has never married. She has lived a life so far from the Mormon ideal, was that kind of happiness and family life even possible? 
The part of the temple experience that stuck out to her was the video where Elder Holland talks about heaven. He talks about how it wouldn't be heaven without his wife and his children. She leaned over and whispered to me how she wants that. Heck, I want that myself! My husband and I are a 15 year marriage but we are a work in progress. I want to be a 50 year married and deeply in love couple like the Hollands. 
When we truly live as Christ wants us to live, we will have those lasting and meaningful relationships. God wants us to be happy. He doesn't want us to be miserable or to be stuck forever with miserable people. We have our agency but with his help and influence in our lives we can become the loving people he wants us to be. 
So don't get discouraged if right now life doesn't match the ideal that is talked about at church. We are so short sighted, God is patient. He is willing to work with us and on those we love long term. We need to make as much progress as possible in this life but we are eternal beings. When talking to my friend, I had asked her.... Which of your kids would you give up on? You wouldn't give up on any of them, even if you were mad once in a while. You would ALWAYS want your children. God is even a better parent and he is more loving and understanding than we are. He is perfect! So when you struggle with your earthly father, turn to your Heavenly one!
Lots of Love!
Lori
No comments:
Post a Comment