Looking Beyond the Mark

 (We've had fun discovering things in our backyard.

This post is mingled with pictures of some of our 

latest discoveries)

I've been working on filling our home and our time with the best things.  I do this because I think my time with my children (and my time on this earth, for that matter) is so short, that I don't want to waste it on things that don't matter - running to and fro chasing nothing.  As I've been pondering about what those best things are - I've been led to praying more intensely, studying my scriptures more seriously, and actually doing the things that I feel prompted to do while I am engaged in those activities (I've been trying to write then down so that I remember them)

I realize that this is pretty obvious.  Haven't I been hearing it my whole life?  Yes, and I have often gone through spurts in which I am better about it than other times, but there is a difference lately.

Part of this difference has to do with my inability to trust in the cultural flow as I've learned that it has often steered me wrong.  I am questioning assumptions about what I eat, what I read, what I allow in my home, what I teach my children.  There are so many theories and so much advise.  I thought I knew how to raise a child when I had my first baby.  The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know.

I have come to understand that I MUST be in tune with the spirit to know truth from error.  I am discovering that Satan can take just about any good thing and use it as a distraction or tool to keep us from focusing on the Savior.  He can counterfeit our emotions and the Lord's tender mercies and he can confuse our thoughts.  He can lead even the most righteous people away by degrees. It's rather disconcerting when you think about it.

I have found comfort in knowing how to judge. I know how I feel when I am being led by the Spirit - I feel love towards all those around me - even those who are harder to love - and I feel peace.  The trick is to keep that influence with me always.  I can only do this when I am obedient and focused on the Savior.

Obedient to what?   Obedience to my church leaders and to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  I feel love and peace when I hear the prophet and other church leaders speak.  I know they are servants of God and that I need to follow them even if I don't understand the reasons at first - just as I expect my children to obey me when they do not understand - because I know what is best for them. I am thankful for the organized manner in which our church is ran.  People are given revelation for those things within their stewardship - this gives me a sense of safety in knowing whom I must follow.  They will not tell me every little thing I must do though.   Those leaders often remind me to be seeking personal revelation.  What a beautiful thing not to be compelled in all things - to have the ability to ask and learn line upon line and precept upon precept. 

Being focused on the Savior is the most tricky one for me.  There are so many things that distract me - even good things.  I can not ask, "Am I being righteous enough?", "Are my children good enough?", "Is my home clean enough?"  This is looking beyond the mark.  All of these questions focus my thoughts on me, my, mine.  The only question to ask is "What would Thou have me do today?" or even "What would Thou have me do right now?"

I know it all sound ultra-religious-Bible-praising crazy to some and some people are wondering how I could not have seen something so obvious before, but it's where I am.  I have so little time left!  Spice will be 18 in 7 1/2 short years.  I need personal revelation.  I need to know what to teach her, what is most important for her to know before she leaves my home, what I need to be reading to help her, what I need to be listening to and attending.  I need the same guidance for all of my children.  With so many waves of information pulling me in different directions and so many exciting ideas and thoughts - I am hopeless without that discerning Spirit that teaches me truth from error.  I can not afford to take it for granted.  Life is too precious and too short and too much hangs on the balance.

I am grateful for those few things that I do know without a doubt.  I know God loves me and wants me to have joy and eternal life.  I know Jesus Christ died for me and that He cares deeply about how I use my time.  I know they love my children and all of the people around me and will guide me in how I can best serve where I am needed.  I know that there is a living prophet on the earth today and that he will not lead me astray.  I know the Book of Mormon and the Bible contain God's words that He would have me heed and ponder.  I know that the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth and I can be guided by the Holy Ghost in my daily decisions. 

I have all that I need in order to discern truth from error.  I just need to put forth the effort to take advantage of the guiding light that is before me.  There is nothing more worthwhile.  There is nothing that gives me more joy.