How have my interactions with my family helped to soften my heart this week?
- Richard and I stayed up late and watched our favorite Mormon Tabernacle Christmas DVD. The King’s Singers were the guest artists with the choir. The most moving piece for both of us is Oh Holy Night, and we saved it for last. We promised ourselves that we won’t listen to it again until Christmas Eve, it’s so special. As I listened to the music and reflected on the words of Luke 2, I just felt so happy. Christ came! He lived and loved us. I wanted to be a better person. I loved everyone.
- Timothy was so upset on Saturday. All I can say is that it had something to do with being the middle brother. I took him with me to the grocery store. He let me put my arm around him as we walked through the parking lot. He got more and more cheery and chatty as we shopped. He melted my heart.
- Mark wanted to spend time with me at church today, so I let him skip nursery and he helped me with some church work before I eventually dropped him off in his class. In the process, I lost a lens from one of my glasses. I searched all over the church, only to find the lens was safely in his little hand at the end of his nursery class. He’d held it during snack and playtime in nursery and had kept it safe for my return. Bless his little heart.
- Learning the human nervous system is a big job and there are a lot of vocabulary words. Paige hasn’t enjoyed it, so I read science to Paige this week as we both stretched out on my bed. I felt the frustration just melt away.
- Daniel walked Sparky at the park this week. I brought Mark and his friend Aleah along, too. I watched Daniel interact with the little 3 year olds from a distance. He allowed Aleah to walk her spider fingers all over his head and arms. He helped urge Mark forward when he lagged behind. Simple, happy moments.
It’s my greatest hope to have a softer heart, more Christlike ways, and to keep my family close to me. Perhaps in the writing of some of these simple things, the softening can last a little longer. I have some real battles this week in my life. A difficult person to deal with, two big events, and the usual errands and business. I have learned that it’s better to be charitable than tough; compassionate rather than judgmental; patient rather than hasty… and that requires Grace, accessed through prayer and humility and obedience.