Monday, May 14, 2012

Reboot

For people who want to feel close to God, having kids can really eclipse some of the personal time and energy we have to pursue spiritual things.  Reading anything scriptural or uplifting can be like trying to focus on a conversation in the middle of a circus - I can't tell you how many thoughts bump around in my head vying for my undivided attention.  I'm lucky if I get through a verse or two with some deepened understanding.  And too often by the end of evening prayers either Marcos or I are asleep.  


Which is why I so loved taking Gigi to the Raleigh Temple on Tuesday.  Marcos was asked by some friends to go and do family names, and to make good on a plan we've had for a long time, I decided to take Gigi to the Temple grounds while they were doing good work inside.  In the car on the way over, Gigi and I had a chance to talk about the Temple, and its meaning for our families.  I explained to her that vovô had died, but that because of Temples our families can be together forever.  


I know she doesn't fully understand my feeble attempts to explain death, the eternity of a soul and our greater purpose in life, but she understood enough.  And for me it was amazing just to feel the joy of it again while I was talking with her.  Yeah, I told myself, families CAN be together forever!  I don't know a lot of things, but when you say things out loud that are true, they settle into your soul in a certain unmistakable way.


So although I birthed her two years ago and part of my brain and capacity to concentrate forever fell out with her, now that she is old enough to understand and communicate about increasingly important things, maybe now I will be able to regain some of that feeling close to God when we talk together of Godly things.  

7 comments:

Jamie said...

I LOVE your thoughts on this! I had such a frustrating Sunday (following a very frustrating Easter Sunday) and I loved how you tied this to having so many competing thoughts with/for/of our kids. This is so true! Glad you found a moment of peace!

melandpeter said...

I can relate to everything you said. I find I can with most of your posts actually.
Love you Metta! xxx

Angela said...

Love this story! And nice to visit/see you two the other day.

Angela said...

Love this story! And nice to visit/see you two the other day.

Damaris @Kitchen Corners said...

perfect post!

amanda said...

what a cute picture of her and the temple. so pretty.

Tay said...

Many traditions separate the religious life from the householder life through monasticism. They do it specifically for the reasons you cite. But modern life requires that you show your spiritual development in the grace, compassion and understanding you share with everyone everyday.