Family, It Is About Time
It has been a bittersweet moment seeing our oldest daughter begin 1st Grade. I’m beginning to understand the advice given to us as new parents of “how fast time will fly by” and “cherish every moment while they are young”. I appreciate so much more, our most important asset that we can’t get back once it is gone… our time.
I think Bil Keane said it best when he said
Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.
Heavenly Father has blessed each of us with the gift of time. How we spend and invest that time is our gift to Him.
The time our kids are born to the time they turn 18 will include about 940 Saturdays. 322 of those have already past since my oldest has started the 1st Grade! It’s not that much time when I consider the other family events, tasks, and chores that require my time.
Elder Richard G. Scott counseled,
The Spirit has taught me that Satan doesn’t have to tempt us to do bad things—he can accomplish much of his objective by distracting us with many acceptable things, thus keeping us from accomplishing the essential ones. Part of our testing here on earth is to have so many seemingly interesting things to do that we can forget the main purposes for being here.
Satan works very hard so that the essential things won’t happen. In quiet moments when you think about it, you recognize what is critically important in life and what isn’t. Be wise and don’t let good things crowd out those that are essential.
Elder Richard G. Scott, “21 Principles” (pg. 72)
Are there so many fascinating, exciting things to do, or so many challenges pressing upon you, that it is hard to keep focused on that which is essential? When things of the world crowd in, all too often the wrong things are allowed to take highest priority. Then it is easy to forget the fundamental purpose of life. Satan has a powerful tool to use against good people, those who are committed to a worthy, righteous life, who want to do good and intend to make the most of this life. His tool is distraction. He has an extensive array of undeniably good things that are used to keep us from doing the essential ones. Have you noticed that when you begin to focus on something truly important, something of eternal significance, there often come thoughts of other good things to distract you? Satan promotes distraction. He would have good people fill life with“ good things” so there is no room for the“ essential ones.” Have you unconsciously been caught in that trap?
Elder Richard G. Scott, “Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy” (Chapter 2)
My hope and prayer is that we will council with our families on how to make Family Home Evening a priority and sanctify, maximize, and optimize the time we have with each other.
President Gordon B. Hinckley counseled
If you have any doubt about the virtue of family home evening, try it. Gather your children about you, teach them, bear testimony to them, read the scriptures together and have a good time together. There will always be opposition to holding family home evening. Regardless, I encourage you to schedule and protect time each week to spend together as a family to share and teach gospel principles, learn something new, and most importantly—have fun! Even if that night isn’t on Monday night.
I would encourage you as we start another new and exciting school year to do a thorough life assessment to schedule and prioritize what is truly important individually, as a couple, and as a family. I testify that as we trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and do our best to follow Him, He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).