"...fight the good fight..." (1 Timothy 6:12)

As a parent I sometimes wonder if I am doing enough, if I have taught my children well enough, have I protected them and given them the tools they need to "fight the good fight" (1 Tim. 6:12)? How do I help my child when they are in "crisis" (see Alma 34:34)? I needed answers. And this is what I received. I hope it is of some help for you.

"...king Mosiah having gone the way of all the earth, having warred a good warfare, walking uprightly before God, leaving none to reign in his stead; nevertheless he had established laws, and they were acknowledged by the people; therefore they were obliged to abide by the laws which he had made." (Alma 1:1).

I love the phrase, "having warred a good warfare". As a parent, I think we are warring a good warfare. Warfare is the activity of fighting a war or strongly competing, especially with reference to the type of weapons used or to the way the fighting is done" (warfare). Spiritual warfare is real and incredibly difficult to fight. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12). That's the description of the enemy wherein we are warring against. This is no kitten, but rather "the dragon" (see JST, Revelations 12:6-7) in which we are battling.

As parents, I believe we keep fighting for our children, no matter how old they get. I have noticed that I tend to parent out of fear and not love, which is not the best way to war a good warfare, when things get stressful. I must remember, "God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Tim. 1:7). Rather than let fear lead us, we can don the "whole armour of God", which includes: "having our loins girt about with truth", "the breastplate of righteousness", shodding our feet "with the preparation of the gospel of peace", "the shield of faith", "the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:13-17). That is some awesome armor! I would even venture to say it is more powerful and protective than anything Ironman would claim he owned if he actually existed.

King Mosiah also lived what he preached. He "[walked] uprightly before God" (Alma 1:1). To be "upright" is to be "strictly honorable or honest" (upright). Our children need to know where they can turn to understand and learn truth. "We believe in being honest" (Article of Faith 1:13). There is no fear in living an honest life. But I know there is great fear that comes when we lie, cheat, or live beneath any truth we know ourselves.

One more thing I learned from Mosiah about being a good parent is to not be afraid of setting limits or making rules: ..."he had established laws, and they were acknowledged by the people; therefore they were obliged to abide by the laws which he had made" (Alma 1:1). When our children know what our expectations are then they can abide by them. It's when there are no clear rules or "laws" in our homes that can cause friction and contention. Be confident in living that which is right, "for they that be with us are more than they that be with them" (2 Kings 6:16). God is on our side!

Parenting is one of the greatest challenges that we will ever experience, if not the greatest, even beyond epic. I know that the teenagers of this time are truly exceptional. They are "glorious sons and daughters of almighty God" (Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf), just like their parents. You and I can "fight the good fight" because our children are worth every single battle. This I testify.

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

Without going into any details, let me just say that this week has been more than I have been able to comprehend in a lot of ways. Yes, it has been a trial, a burden if you will. Yet, I have felt that my burden has been made lighter by so many kind, good, humble, diligent, faith-filled people . I know that God has heard my supplication, even my request for help from Him (see supplication).  To me, I know that God has sent angels to lift my burden and make it lighter (see Mosiah 18:8), most of whom have no idea they have even done this lifting.

I love these verses: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

One of the reasons I love this is it reminds me to not worry and "don't be unduly concerned about anything" (Phil. 4:6a). I'm working on not letting my runaway thinking of the "what if's" take over; but rather to "meditate upon these things;  [to] give [myself] wholly to them; that [my] profiting may appear to all" (1 Tim. 4:15). Meditating and pondering on the things of God helps me to calm my heart, clear my mind of fear, and focus on His power to guide and comfort me (see ponder). Meditation is a gift of calm and quieting the heart. I highly recommend it.

Another reason I love this verse is because of the advice to pray and supplicate the Lord with thanksgiving. Offering thanks has been a great blessing to me, especially in times it seems when all I see is "through a glass darkly" (1 Corinthians 13:12). Praying with thanksgiving is very humbling when I am in what seems to be a dark abyss. It helps me see the truth and reality that I am in a world filled with light and peace (see Luke 1:79). Giving thanks is a reminder that indeed, "I have been given much" and therefore, "much is required" (D&C 82:3; see also Luke 12:48).

I can testify of the truth of the words, "The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." When I petition, and supplicate the Lord for His help, I must be open to receive this gift, "even peace in this world" (D&C 59:23). His peace does pass all understanding as I keep my focus on Christ, letting go of fear, and trusting Him that all things shall work together for my good (see D&C 98:3; D&C 100:15; Romans 8:28). It's not easy. But it's the "good way" of going through the tough stuff  "therein, and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Jeremiah 6:16). This I testify. 

Christ makes it possible for me to see through the dark, for light is always brighter. 

"...he trieth their patience and their faith." (Mosiah 23:21)

I need to just share a quick thought about this one verse- (please forgive me for my mistakes and/or misspellings, it is very late but needs to be done). "Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith" (Mosiah 23:21). The fact that the Lord deems it appropriate to try our faith and our patience at the same time says a lot about us and our development. When we exercise faith in Jesus Christ we are not only saying that we believe He knows what we need to learn and develop, but also the when. 

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, "...patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because or our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can- working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude (courage in pain or adversity), even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!" (Continue in Patience).

I know we all have challenges that keep us from getting what we want in the timing we want. It's not easy being patient. So, I have had to ask myself what keeps me from being patient? When I take a step back I often find it is simply pride and selfishness. Pride because I think I know exactly what I "need" and that I believe it is good for me. And selfishness because I can't wait calmly and with dignity. Rather, I want to make everyone either aware of how miserable I am or make everyone as miserable as I am. That's pretty dang selfish.

Gratefully, God is aware of this "natural man" part of us (see Mosiah 3:19) and He helps us even when we are weak. He makes our burdens lighter, He makes them bearable. He says, "I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage". Why does He do this? He continues: "and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions" (Mosiah 24:14). When we are patient, He eases our burdens, which in turn increases our faith in Him. And then makes us able to "bear up [our] burdens with ease" (Mosiah 24:15), giving us more patience, and leading us again to increase our faith. In all of this cycle, He visits us and helps us carry our burdens (see Matt. 11:30)

I know that God has His reasons for trying our faith and our patience. I also know He gives us the strength to endure well- submitting "cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord" (Mosiah 24:15; see also Mosiah 3:19). You can do this! This is I testify.

I get to "hangout" with my mom a couple of times a week as she is on hospice.

I am so grateful for her example of faith and patience. 

"...but care for the soul, and the life of the soul" (D&C 101:37)

#LightTheWorld #day21

I have to confess that I really love good food...all sorts of food. Like Thai yellow chicken curry (or pretty much any curry), mmmm hamburgers! Good bread! or candy, and most definitely chocolate...(I ate a whole pound of See's chocolate all by myself the other week- man that was so gooood!), and sweet breads. I love a good omelette, sausage, bacon, all kinds of cheese! And I haven't even begun to talk about fruits and vegetables! Ok, now I'm just making myself hungry...and I have only just started on good food. If I don't eat when I am hungry, I get "hangry". My family is well aware of this affect upon my body and mind when I haven't eaten enough or when I am hungry (to speak nothing of being tired, cold, and wet). So, I try and eat before that hangriness hits- sometimes I can do it, but other times not so well.

And there is another kind of food that I also love. It's food for the soul. Sometimes the easiest thing to do is to feed the body and neglect the soul. I love this scripture that teaches me to keep these things in perspective: "Therefore, care not for the body, neither the life of the body; but care for the soul, and the life of the soul" (D&C 101:37). When I focus on only feeding my body and do nothing for my spirit, I get out of balance...perhaps it's a form of being spiritually hangry?

To feed the soul is to care more about the whole person, and not just the body. As I follow the example of the Savior in forgiving others (see Matthew 9:2; D&C 62:3), letting go of anger (see Psalms 37:8), in serving others (see Luke 10:25-37, Mosiah 2:17), in doing good (see D&C 6:8; Matthew 7:12), then I am fed (see Psalms 37:3). And I am also feeding His sheep..."for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat" (Matthew 25:35; see also John 21:16). This is when the hangriness goes away because I am fed physically and spiritually.

Spending time with loved ones is "doing good"! Feed their souls!

My mom enjoying her ice cream. Caring for others is serving, and feeds souls!

"I was in prison, and ye came unto me." (Matthew 25:36)

#LightTheWorld #day23

As I read the scripture for today, "I was in prison, and ye came unto me" (Matthew 25:36), I couldn't help but think of how we are all "in prison" at times. This means that we are held captive by our fears, by hanging onto the hurts, or pains that we have experienced intentionally or unintentionally afflicted upon us. Being unforgiving is one way of being spiritually in prison. "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body" (Hebrews 13:3). Prison can be physical captivity, as well as spiritual captivity.

I have come to notice that when I am unforgiving I tend to see others through the eyes at the age in which I was wounded. I am "unable to break out of the prison of [myself]" (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland). As I think about how I have changed over the years, I do hope that people see the "new me", even the me that has changed, and been "born again in Christ" (conversion). As I offer this same compassion to others, as I hope they will give to me, I have felt like I am free, even released from this self made prison that has held me captive.

Sometimes that prison is the prison of envy, hate, fear, not forgiving others or myself, resentment, pain, loss of faith or hope. Sometimes we get locked into prison of not being compassionate. President Monson gives us a wonderful solution that helps us free ourselves and others from these prisons. He said, "We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at the present but as they may become when they receive testimonies of the gospel of Christ" (Pres. Thomas S. Monson). As we continually strive to have this perspective, to see the truth of what really is, then we can be made free. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (see John 8:32).

Jesus Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life"(John 14:6). He is the One that can and will set us free. This I testify.