Tuesday, January 08, 2008

A Mother Heart

I have been thinking about this topic for a few weeks now since I returned from spending Christmas with my cousin in Savannah. I loved being with her and being with her family. What was amazing to me was her patience with her kids. I find this to be true in all my interactions with people with kids. It is so cool to be how you can be so patient with them and kind and loving. I love kids and I hope to have my own someday and this brings us to the topic of this blog.
The title is taken from a talk given by Julie B. Beck in General Conference when she was the first counselor in the Young Women's presidency. She talks about how we can all cultivate a mother heart. I think it is interesting that we can all develop a mother heart whether we have children of our own or not.
Sister Beck says:

"What is a mother heart and how is one acquired? We learn about some of those qualities in the scriptures. To paraphrase Proverbs: “Who can find a … woman [with a mother heart]? for her price is far above rubies. … She … worketh willingly with her hands. … With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. … She stretcheth out her hand to the poor. … Strength and honour are her clothing. … She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness” (Prov. 31:10, 13, 16, 20, 25–27). A woman with a mother heart has a testimony of the restored gospel, and she teaches the principles of the gospel without equivocation. She is keeping sacred covenants made in holy temples. Her talents and skills are shared unselfishly. She gains as much education as her circumstances will allow, improving her mind and spirit with the desire to teach what she learns to the generations who follow her."
I really like that she quote Proverbs 31 because it is one of my favorites about women and our influence in this world.
Sister Beck also says this about those who do not currently have children of their own:
"In my experience I have seen that some of the truest mother hearts beat in the breasts of women who will not rear their own children in this life, but they know that “all things must come to pass in their time” and that they “are laying the foundation of a great work” (D&C 64:32–33). As they keep their covenants, they are investing in a grand, prestigious future because they know that “they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever” (Abr. 3:26)."
This quote and the scriptures that she uses to support it give me comfort and helps me realize that even if I don't have children of my own I am still a mother.
Everyday at 6 am I am a mother for an hour as I teach the gospel to my Seminary students. Perhaps I don't have the same impact or influence as their parents might have but I may say something or encourage them in a way that is truly unique to me.
So here is my question to all you mothers out there. How do you do it? What does having a mother heart mean to you?

2 comments:

RCH said...

Just so you know, I'm pondering this and hope to formulate a post on it soon. It's hard, though, because mostly I don't feel so idyllically patient and kind and nurturing. Mostly I feel like, "WTH? Why did you think it would be a good idea to color on the walls with marker??? AAAIIIEEEE!!!" Plus I'm tired so I slack off on all the domestic arts. *Sigh!* But yeah, I'm working on a real post; yours is a very thought-provoking question. :-)

Emily Anne said...

I think that talk was awsome but I sure don't feel like I have any patience with my child, and I only have one.