Of Things That Matter Most

Yesterday in Relief Society we had a lesson on the wonderful talk from President Uchtdorf titled  Of Things That Matter Most.  Both the talk in October and the lesson yesterday were timely reminders to me to slow down and remember the most important things in life, and let them take priority.  Last week I was sick most of the week, and another weekend came and went with no progress being made on the basement.  Rick and I both just have so many things to get done.  Last Friday a long time member of our ward passed away, and Rick will be doing the funeral on Thursday, and I'll be helping with the dinner.  We know firsthand how much it means for people to stop and give a little bit of themselves when we suffer the loss of a loved one, but the truth is, it's not always convenient.  So, we came home from Church, looking ahead to a busy week, wondering when anything would get done on the basement.  All afternoon all 5 of the kids played together in the torn apart basement.  They built forts, and had marshmallow gun wars (thanks, Amy and Kyle), and it was bliss for me to stand in the kitchen and listen to their happiness.  Someday we will finish the basement again, but I was relieved to have the kids enjoying the space inspite of the circumstances.  The kids didn't care.  They still had fun.  That's what mattered most.

And then later that night, after the kids were in bed, and as I waited for Rick to return from a Priesthood Leadership Meeting, I got a phone call from the Relief Society President.  She informed me that a dear family in the ward had lost their tiny baby girl who was born very premature last week.  She wanted to know if I would go with her to the hospital.  There was no hesitation, no thought of what else needed to get done as I told her yes.  We went and did our best to comfort our grieving sister.  I prayed that I would both say the right thing, and not say the wrong thing.  It felt very close to heaven, standing in that room with those loving parents, griefing over the loss of their tiny baby girl.  I felt like an invader on their sacred moment, a feeling I was reminded of having once before as I sat in the corner of another hospital room with Kevin and Tera, witnessing that same love that is eternal, that reaches beyond the grave and deep into the centers of not just our bodies, but our souls.  In my everyday life, if you asked me what experiences I wished to have in my life, chances are I would not include bathing a tiny newborn's lifeless body, or witnessing the last days of a brother-in-law who was really much more like a brother.  Those would probably not even make the top 50, and yet I will never trade those experiences that I have now had.  The opportunity to see and glimpse into the eternities and feel the closeness of heaven is a wonderful reminder of things that matter most.

In moments of tragedy it seems "easy" to remember the things that matter most.  It's in the business of day to day that it seems much more challenging.  Next week the basment will seem important to me again, and yet I wonder if He who is our greatest example would let such a thing concern Him so much.  How can I look to Him more often to spend my time and energy on the things that matter most?  One of my favorite Primary songs provides some guidance.  I know this post is already long, but I want to include the lyrics anyway.

I’m trying to be like Jesus;  I’m following in his ways.

I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.

At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,

But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,

Love one another as Jesus loves you.  Try to show kindness in all that you do.

Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, For these are the things Jesus taught.

I’m trying to love my neighbor; I’m learning to serve my friends.

I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.

I try to remember the lessons he taught.

Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:

Love one another as Jesus loves you. Try to show kindness in all that you do.

Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, For these are the things Jesus taught.

I hope this post ended up making sense.  I know some of the things might seem disconnected, but it's all connected in my brain, and I was hoping to convey that a little.