Change Begins With Us

Photo Credit: Jillian Butler Photography

One of my biggest fears as a parent now is releasing my children into a world that I know can be cruel and unjust. Where ones own selfish desires are a priority over what is right. I realize I cannot shield my children from everything because that will hurt them when they go off to lead their own lives. Early on I realized that I am not just caring for them to make sure they are fed, clothed, and healthy...I am preparing them for their adult life. I will not always be around and so that has been my mission as a mother, to raise children who are self-sufficient, not easily persuaded by opinions of others, and who are willing to stand up for what is right.

This has been no easy task so far because it definitely holds you as a parent at a very high standard, and I know I am nowhere near perfect. Raising children sometimes feels like what you say and do is useless because they aren't paying attention. If that is how you feel, stop it. Children are more aware of their surroundings than you think. Don't give up on trying to show them the straight and narrow path. When you do make mistakes, own up to them and apologize for them. My son gives thanks in his prayers for Christ's Atonement and for the ability to repent. What a beautiful thing to acknowledge and testify of...that we are imperfect and we are blessed to have repentance and remission of our sins through Christ...that we can make it right, now not later.

I appreciated the words of the Apostle Paul who said, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (3 John 1:4)" I saw kindness in my kids as toddlers and siblings. Now that they speak well, and can form their own opinions of the world, and raise questions, especially make decisions, these words have become dear to my heart because it speaks truth about us as parents. We want to hear our children are good and righteous, and that our work as parents hasn't been in vain right?

I woke up this morning to the sound of my kids and husband getting ready for school and work. I got up and checked my phone for the time. I noticed an email waiting to be read from my son, Tyler's math teacher. It read, "Hello Mrs. Potter, I just wanted to let you know that Tyler is continuing to do an outstanding job both academically and socially. He goes above and beyond to role model following directions while inspiring others to do the same. He has built some incredibly strong friendships. He is also continuing to challenge himself in math...I am really proud of Tyler and I absolutely love having him as a student!" I think I sometimes took that for granted because it was a norm for them at home, and an expectation when they were away. Hearing that Tyler goes above and beyond to be a role model is incredibly satisfying and it echoes the words of the Apostle Paul. It means too that they are listening to what we do, say, and teach them. As parents we are one of the biggest influences in our children's lives! If we wait until they are teenagers to try to show them the way of righteousness, it may be too late.

In The Family: A Proclamation to the World we learn that, "Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens where ever they live." The 13th Article of Faith states that "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men." Mosiah 18:9 reads, "Yea, we are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places..." The world would look very different today if all parents, people in general, understood their responsibility and took it seriously. I am just one person and have limited resources, but I know that the good I can do and leave when God calls me home, is the legacy that are my children. My efforts for righteousness can be multiplied by what I instill in them and what I help them develop and cultivate.

You may not have had the best of role models as parents, but I know that we always have a choice to how we react to situations. You can be the better role model for your children and hold sacred your duty as a parent. You don't have to look far to see what a lack of ownership for mistakes and the need to blame everyone else for ones circumstances does to a people. Stop making excuses and instead make it right. Make it right for future generations. With God's help, change begins with us!