I am privileged to know or at least be acquainted with multitudes of talented, amazing people. People who use their gifts to make the world a better place. People who have turned tragedy into triumph, people who provide for their families with goods they make, people who build testimonies with their voice, people who have a top notch education, people who play in symphonies, run marathons, run businesses, teach classes, head organizations, hold public office, people who change the world and still, still mother excellently and live righteously.
I am so glad to know these people. They bless my life.
But
On occasion I am left feeling, wondering and questioning, if my untalented, uneducated, unsuccessful self, holds any value outside the 4 walls of my home. I have been fighting the urge to give into these feelings all week! When I feel like this I go deep sea fishing for specific compliments and reassurances from Scott. Then I lovingly remind my spouse that there is no pay check , no "good job", no audience, no impressed client, boss or ward member. In my cheering section, he sits alone. So I remind him to cheer loud.
Well, self pity is just gross and wrong so I really have put up a good fight and just as I felt I was losing the thought came to me that I should read a talk that I distinctly remember being given a few years back. I believe I was at the Young Women broadcast when it was given. I could recall only one line so I typed those few remembered words and in one shot my search was done.
A bit of what I read and reread from "I am the Light Which ye Shall Hold Up" by Susan W. Tanner...
Good home life often goes unrecognized. It might be easier to “arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations” than that your light may be a standard for your own families. Sometimes others don’t see us doing good, sharing our light in our individual homes. It is basic human nature to desire and seek praise and attention. Helaman taught his sons Nephi and Lehi to do the good works of their forefathers for whom they were named, “that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven”. Good works should not be done for the purpose of receiving recognition
In these preparatory years, you young women spend much of your time in schools or jobs where you receive accolades, honors, awards, ribbons, or trophies. When you move from that stage to young motherhood, there is a dramatic drop-off in outside commendation. Yet in no other capacity is there more opportunity to serve selflessly as Christ would do by taking care of hundreds of daily physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. You will bring the light of the gospel into your homes—not to be seen of others, but to build others—men and women of strength and light.
There is much, much more that I desperately needed. Though the one simple truth, "in no other capacity is there more opportunity to serve selflessly as Christ would do..." was really what sounded loudly and rested firmly in my mind. It made me wonder how many kind acts of the Savior were unseen, unwritten and unknown. Uncountable, I am sure. If I can do nothing else, (and maybe I cant) I can serve selflessly as Christ would do in the four walls of my home.

And if HE is the only one that sees it...then he is the only one that matters.





























































