SUNDAY LESSON - SEPTEMBER 1, 2012.

 LESSON FOR SUNDAY,  SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

CHERYL WILSON 


I love the beautiful words of President Uchdorf to the sisters of the church.  He so knows our hearts and how to address our concerns.  In the November 2008 Conference Issue of the Ensign, President Uchdorf talks about how so many of us dwell on our shortcomings rather than our strengths and talents.  He talks about how is own dear wife who prepares the most beautiful and delicious of meals will often times say, I put in too much ginger or I should have added more bayleaf."   His culinary abilities are limited to fried eggs and toasted french bread chunks.  His observation is that "our splendid sisters sometimes undervalue their abilities--they focus of what is lacking or imperfect rather than what has been accomplished and who they really are."   And yes, we all do it.  It's the nature of women.

To those of us who have ever felt inadequate, discouraged or weary, he is speaking to us.  Life is hard and it's sometimes hard to keep our heads above water.  At times the feeling of being overwhelmed takes over.  We can't flip the switch and make it all go away, but we can find a source of peace.

The greatest kind of happiness available is God's happiness.  Although we often do not understand God's ways we know that we are his children.  He has said. "Behold this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."  Being compassionate and creative are two attributes of our Heavenly Father that we should emulate for that is what contributes to His perfect happiness.

We as mothers, participate with God in creating physical bodies for His spirit children.  By teaching an nurturing them we use our creative skills, gifts and talents.  If we feel inadequate at creating, we need to start small and success will build on success.  There are so many things we can learn along with our children.  Gardening, crafting, painting and other skills too numerous to mention.

We are commanded to "succor the weak" and compassion is in our natures as women.  Reaching out and blessing the lives of others will enable our Heavenly Father to bless us in ways we never could have imagined. James Barrie, the author of  Peter Pan once said, "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."  No matter our circumstances in life, there is always something we can do.

As we create beauty and are compassionate with others we can partake of our Heavenly Fathers happiness.