There are many things I will not be able to do during my lifetime {whether due to financial, physical, or other circumstances} that will always be there with a little wish in my heart that it could have happened. But I let them go, knowing that I have already done so much, seen so much, and I am part of a bigger plan right now that I can’t look back if I want to continue moving forward. There are also many things that I never want to experience or have a desire to have the responsibility of {like being a Priesthood holder}. After church today I have been thinking a lot about this – and especially after the discussions during class, I realize that my life feels complete the way it is. I don’t need to have the keys to the Priesthood to feel that way. That is why I am married to a worth Elder who holds those keys, so that he can exercise that power in my family. I have many friends who are not married – but that doesn’t mean that they still don’t have the priesthood close to them. Either through their children, brothers, fathers, neighbors, home teachers, Bishopric, etc there is always going to be a worth Priesthood holder nearby.
I don’t feel slighted, belittled, or that I am not as important because I don’t hold the Priesthood keys. I feel empowered as a woman, as there is so much I can do in my life to help others without that, that it doesn’t make sense to me why I would need it. I can have children, and as a mother I have a huge responsibility to be the best I can be for them. I may not be able to administer a blessing if they are sick, but I can take care of them, comfort them, pray for them, and dedicate myself to them, heart and soul, which is equally important. If you serve with the true intent of helping others to help them and not for gain then your heart is in the right place and you will be blessed beyond measure. We have so much to be grateful for, so many blessings that we have been given, that I don’t see the point in complaining or being upset over something that we don’t have.
God is perfect. He is all knowing and knows what is best for each of us. My heart is so full of gratitude for all that I have in my life. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. I know that God lives and that his son Jesus Christ came to this earth and sacrificed himself so that I could return to live with him again. I know that he lives now and that he helps me everyday of my life. He is there for me, he hears me, and he loves me. The true gospel has been restored to this earth and we have a true and living prophet on this earth that leads and guides us, inspires us, and helps us to be better. I am grateful everyday of my life for my family, for my children and my amazing husband.
I love the quote by the famous Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, “It is time … to defend not so much human rights as human obligations.” Latter-day Saints surely recognize that qualifying for exaltation is not a matter of asserting rights but a matter of fulfilling responsibilities. (read the entire talk by President Boyd K. Packer about The Keys and Authorities of the Priesthood here). It is time to pull together, to serve and help and love one another. I challenge you to take the time to make a difference this week. Go out of your way to serve someone in need, help where you can, and lose yourself in the work. I am going to do the same and I would love to hear your thoughts.
