Duh....Leslie

So we as women and being Latter Day Saints are usually seeking out ways to serve others....and tonight I realized that I have forgotten to serve others within my immediate family. I've always thought of others as neighbors, friends, extended family, ward members, the sick, the elderly, community members etc. all of which are great "others" but finally it has hit me that "others" just might include my husband and my children. DUH!!!! Most of you already knew that one. :o)

I know that I serve them daily with the things that I'm supposed to like cleaning, cooking yadda yadda but what extra nice things have I done for them lately? Have I done anything out of the ordinary or special for them? Have I done my normal duties with a glad heart? Nope, Nada, zilch and not at all, I've been in a hurry, barking orders, looking mad and sometimes complaining about what I'm doing.

I do the laundry because I have to, I dislike washing the dishes and don't do them as often as I should! I clean my house daily, MOSTLY because I would die if someone saw my house messy or thought I wasn't clean, plus I know my Mom raised me better than that! (I used to not keep a clean house and was embarrassed a few times by unexpected visitors.) Obviously there are better reasons to keep a clean house & to do the laundry & wash dishes or load your dishwasher. Sometimes a light bulb just goes off and you realize that you might have been doing the right things but not totally for the right reasons or with the right attitude. True confessions and not ones that I'm proud of. We are all learning and trying to be better and sometimes by the pressure we put on ourselves we mistakenly put pressures and stress on others. I'm so I'm very guilty of this lately and it is embarrassing. I know I expect a lot from myself and sometimes that flows over to everyone else around me...not cool.

So tonight as I was thinking of people in the ward that I might be able to help or neighbors...it occurred to me that I hadn't even thought of my sweet little kiddos or my wonderful husband! I know for a fact that all three of them could use a little TLC from me or would appreciate something extra special just for them or even a back rub. Why didn't I think of them first? This entire inspiration is owed to the June 08 Ensign where I was reading about Thomas S. Monson and how he has served his entire life in many capacities and so I thought well who could I go and help tonight...because I love President Monson and I want to be just like him???? He has helped so many people and does it so willingly and without complaint..who can I help?

Starting right now I will try and serve others with the right attitude and for the right reasons because I love them and not because I feel like I have to, because I want to and because I know that I should! Starting with my own little family! Shame on me for not thinking of them more often to serve instead of thinking, "Man, I do it all and no one appreciates it and I'm sick of doing these dumb dishes and cleaning up after these mess makers...I have too many other things to do!" (yes I've thought or said all of these things this week alone!)

I love the words that President Monson spoke at the Sept 2007 general Relief Society meeting: "Do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but pray for abilities equal to your tasks. Then the performance of your tasks will be no miracle, but you will be the miracle." Sweet and wise words by a sweet and very wise man.

When we are in service of others, we are only in the service of our God. I better start remembering who others are and that they can be my own family.