What is Charity? And how do we obtain it?

Charity is greater than faith and hope.

This morning I prayed to be given then gift of charity. I remember my Dad saying he would never pray for charity again because he ended up losing his job or something to that effect.  Also, a brother in law prayed for humility and got released from him calling in the bishopric. So I was a little bit leary. But I tried to be specific and say I wanted to feel love for people and not just feel a monetary difference.

I was able to recognize the spirit prompting me who I need to help.

Maria wanted to play with Danica, so Audra texted us so we would go.  Then we ended up going to the library for storytime because Wyatt noticed Audra west East instead of West. She want going home so we couldn't race home.

1. The fatherless.  First there was an 18 year old girl sitting in the library entrance waiting for it to open. She looked a bit unkempt, greasy hair. Typically that makes me feel uncomfortable. I felt like I should talk to her.  Dominic ended up bumping his head so then I went into the hall.  That was the catalyst to help me start the conversion.

Some guy walked in and then out. She mentioned it was her ex-boyfriend.  She then went on to tell me her boyfriend was in the hospital because he cut himself.  He had broken his promise to her about not doing that anymore. 

She thought it was a sign that she saw her ex. She said he had broken up with her.  I told her that she didn't need either of them.  I felt like I needed to be a listening ear. She went on to tell me that she would be looking for somewhere to live March 3rd. Her father passed away and she didn't want to live with her step mom because her brother was bi-polar.

When I looked into her blue eyes I saw innocence or maybe it was goodness. 

She later mentioned having a niece and a nephew ages 3 and 4.  I told her maybe she should go live in Prosser with those relatives.

She mentioned that she did not have a job because she couldn't think. She couldn't remember more than 3 things. I asked her if she was told that because of a test she said yes.

She also mentioned she would like to live  with her real mom, but her mom wants her to be in school. I suggested maybe she tell her mom she will go to school of she could live with her.

Where do people go if the can't/won't work due to disabilities etc.?  Hopefully their families. But what if there families won't have them?

I could relate to being fatherless. I let her know I understand that it was hard because my father was deceased too. I could relate to emotionally abusive relationships with a boyfriend. I had true empathy. Up until the soon to be homeless and depending on anyone but herself part.

Is charity the pure live of Christ because you can empathize? I could feel the spirit of love in my bosom.

2. A lady was cleaning up. She had two kids and a new baby that was crying. She was trying to have her children pick up then mess of magnets. I went abd helped her. (I have been in that situation lots of times and I could relate. Empathy. It can be overseeing and stressful when a baby is crying.

3. A new baby was crying abd her mother ran off after a toddler who took off. Again I could relate. I tried to rock the baby it didn't do any good. The baby was hungry.

How then do we obtain this empathy if we have not had the experiences?  I wanted to help. Especially the fatherless I kept wondering if I could do more, and if I could that I would be inspired.  I didn't think it would be best to being her home with me.  Could I do something to help her obtain skills for a job? Or could I become a foster parent? There will be many more children just like her.

Do we save the starfish by helping redirect her? And say what we are inspired to say then move on to the next starfish.  We are not the savior, but we can be the angel that helps.

In my home, how can I obtain charity for my children?  How do I seek to understand them?

I was more patient. But it is so easy to fall into patterns. Rushing. Impatience. Scolding. Punishing etc.

The only way out is daily fervent prayer to obtain that love, empathy.

Choosing to be calm and mastering my mother tongue are only the beginning....

Govern your house

Govern D&C 31:9,12
"...Govern your house in meekness and be steadfast."

"Pray always lest you enter into temptation."

GOV'ERN, verb transitive [Latin guberno. The Latin guberno seems to be a compound.]

1. To direct and control, as the actions or conduct of men, either by established laws or by arbitrary will; to regulate by authority; to keep within the limits prescribed by law or sovereign will. Thus in free states, men are governed by the constitution and laws; in despotic states, men are governed by the edicts or commands of a monarch. Every man should govern well his own family.

2. To regulate; to influence; to direct. This is the chief point by which he is togovern all his counsels and actions.

3. To control; to restrain; to keep in due subjection; as, to govern the passions or temper.

4. To direct; to steer; to regulate the course or motion of a ship. The helm or the helmsman governs the ship.

5. In grammar, to require to be in a particular case; as, a verb transitive governs a word in the accusative case; or to require a particular case; as, a verb governs the accusative case.

GOV'ERN, verb intransitive To exercise authority; to administer the laws. The chief magistrate should govern with impartiality.

1. To maintain the superiority; to have

Steadfastly

STEADFASTLY, STEDFASTLY, adverb Firmly; with constancy or steadiness of mind.

 

expedient - EXPE'DIENT, adjective [Latin expediens; expedio, to hasten; Eng. speed.]

1. Literally, hastening; urging forward. Hence, tending to promote the object proposed; fit or suitable for the purpose; proper under the circumstances. Many things may be lawful, which are not expedient

2. Useful; profitable.

3. Quick; expeditious. [Not used.]

EXPE'DIENT, noun That which serves to promote or advance; any means which may be employed to accomplish an end. Let every expedient be employed to effect an important object, nor let exertions cease till all expedients fail of producing the effect.

1. Shift; means devised or employed in an exigency

Etymology

The definition of words.

pen·chant\ˈpen-chənt, especially British ˈpäⁿ-ˌshäⁿ\
noun
: a strong liking for something or a strong tendency to behave in a certain way

Wiggly at the Store

Analysis:

I took my 5 year old son and my 8 month old baby to the store last night and I have a large list and felt a little bit scrunched for time.

When he wasn't meeting my expectations of staying close to the cart for and hour, I started stressing, getting anxious, and my pride was hurt a couple times, because I chose to be embarrassed that he was standing in front of people carts in la la land.  :)  I felt like I hadn't done my job teaching my .son

I forgot to pre-teach how he act at the store.

Considering it was an hour and he is five he did pretty well and I chose to let me emotions get the better of me. I got mad and felt out of control that weakness caused me to objectify him and try to act upon by criticizing. And letting out my angry with snide remarks to myself. (Or thoughts)

Make a Plan:
Pre-teach
Practice it the right way.
Got to the Store and window shop to practice, and then do the grocery store again.
Or he can't go, natural consequence. (Unfortunately this would be win win to both us. He didn't want to go to begin with.  But it didn't prep him for times when he must go.)

Communicate Effectively: pre-teach, praise, pray for help with my own emotions. Be humble and patient. Parent how I would at home. (Discuss with spouse)

Act Deliberately: follow through with my plan.

*Roles: Remember my role as mother, teacher, and nurturer. Remind him of his role as child, learner. Honor and respect parents.