Monday, August 29, 2016

identity


I love this print hanging in my girls' room. It says "He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name" from President Uchtdorff, and it goes along quite nicely with this week's Conference Report.


Have you ever been sitting in a church meeting and a speaker said exactly what you needed to hear? That happened to me at Stake Conference this weekend, although I didn't recognize it at the time. But as I have been thinking about the things I learned, one speaker's message stands out in my memory and feels like an answer to prayer.

Now that my kids are in school all day, I have struggled to find a purpose. Maybe I am being dramatic and just thinking about it too much, but I have honestly felt a little bit adrift. The message I heard during Stake Conference was to remember that above all else--before my calling as a mother and a wife, even--I am a daughter of God, and that He knows me, He knows my concerns and worries, that He loves me, and He wants to help me.

After our meetings and a really good Sunday nap, I remembered this talk from our last General Conference. As I reread it yesterday afternoon, the message I heard in Stake Conference was strengthened in my heart.

I'd like to share some of my favorite parts below:

Elder Hallstrom said, "Here on earth, we identify ourselves in many different ways, including our place of birth, our nationality, and our language. Some even identify themselves by their occupation or their hobby. These earthly identities are not wrong unless they supersede or interfere with our eternal identity--that of being a son or a daughter of God."

So if I am having a hard time identifying myself as a mother from the hours of 8am to 3pm, it is because I have placed that identity above my eternal identity of daughter of God. And in this lies my confusion or loneliness.

Elder Hallstrom continues, "In real life we face hardships. There is pain--physical, emotional, and spiritual. There are heartbreaks when circumstances are very different from what we have anticipated. There is injustice when we do not seem to deserve our situation. There are disappointments when someone we trusted failed us. There are health and financial setbacks that can be disorienting. There may be times of question when a matter of doctrine or history is beyond our current understanding.

"When difficult things occur in our lives, what is our immediate response? Is it confusion or doubt or spiritual withdrawal? Is it a blow to our faith? Do we blame God or others for our circumstances? Or is our first response to remember who we are--that we are children of a loving God? Is that coupled with an absolute trust that He allows some earthly suffering because He knows it will bless us, like a refiner's fire, to become like Him, and to gain our eternal inheritance?"

I would never liken my current situation to actual, real suffering, but this message is powerful to me nonetheless. Any confusion or uncertainty I feel in this new stage of my life can be washed away in the knowledge that I am a child of God. If I can keep that identity first and foremost in my mind, then I will find the focus that was lacking in my days.

One final message from Elder Hallstrom: "We live in a world that can cause us to forget who we really are. The more distractions that surround us, the easier it is to treat casually, then ignore, and then forget our connection with God. . . no matter where we live and no matter what our circumstances are, it is essential that our preeminent identity is as a child of God. Knowing that will allow our faith to flourish, will motivate our continual repentance, and will provide the strength to 'be steadfast and immovable' throughout our mortal journey."


Read, watch, or listen to the entire talk here.

5 comments:

  1. Stephanie- you know I am right there in this same boat with you! Although my background is different...Motherhood was never valued or hailed much during my growing up years, more emphasis and pride was placed on societal accolades. Deep down I knew I wanted to be a mother, and I made decisions that lead me to a place to be a stay at home mom, but I struggled mightily with my identity through the last 13 years. And then! The baby went to school and I felt adrift because I wasn't mothering all day.
    I recently read a NYT piece about educated women who purposely walk away from successful careers to be mothers and housewives. The over all take away for me- these women were choosing to be the CEO of their homes. While my children might not be home all day, there is still MUCH to be done. I began to change my perspective. If my home were a business how would I want it run? Would I let junk pile up in my work place? Would I shop for my family last minute and on the fly? Anyhoo---this is really long and much better discussed in person, but I began to value my role as a homemaker more and to see the importance of really having a house of order.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Stephanie,
    You always inspire me to be a better person. God is always working through you. But I feel the same way as you sometimes. I have chosen to be be a stay at home mom and I know I will have to start over once I re-enter the work place. I'm very glad I am able to stay home and will never regret that time. I know you are always making a difference in peoples lives. I hope to meet you one day so I can give you a hug.
    Sincerely,
    Jessica

    ReplyDelete
  3. I remember reading something on your blog a long time ago that stuck with me. And I FINALLY found the link again tonight. (I must have clicked on a link from one of your old postings) I think it relates to your post. It has helped me and something I need to remind myself daily. I should probably print it out for my wall.
    It's Finding Joy in the Journey by President Thomas S. Monson, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/finding-joy-in-the-journey?lang=eng&_r=1
    Hope that helps.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love this. I remember feeling this way when my youngest went off to school full days. Hang in there. Sounds like you have wonderful advice to follow.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for these thoughts! I'm drowning in babies and kids and sometimes forget my identity too. Life is so interesting- we are all more similar than it would seem :)

    ReplyDelete

Hello! Thank you for your comment. I'd love to respond, and it is much easier if your account is linked to your email address. Or, you could just email me at barefootstephanie@gmail.com. Thank you!