In this past week I've started to realize just how much my mom loved me and in turn how much I love her, and of course it’s difficult to come to grips with the things I wish I had or hadn't done, and how much I’ll miss her but I’m comforted in the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and the strength of my mother’s testimony of gospel truths.
As I reflect upon her life I’m reminded of how she truly emulated Christlike love and charity.
President Ezra Taft Benson taught how charity is learned by following the Savior’s example: “The final and crowning virtue of the Divine character is charity, or the pure love of Christ" (1986)
Moroni 7:45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
I can tell you, growing up we rarely saw our mother be anything but kind, selfless, hopeful and certainly was not easily provoked, trust me... I've been known to push my limits.
“The world today speaks a great deal about love, and it is sought for by many. But the pure love of Christ differs greatly from what the world thinks of love. Charity never seeks selfish gratification. The pure love of Christ seeks only the eternal growth and joy of others” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 62)
REJOICETH IN TRUTH:
My mother had her convictions and always tried to teach truths and guide us in righteousness and she was even patient enough to let us come to that knowledge on our own.
I recall moments when I could see mild disappointment in her face if we didn’t really grasp something, wouldn’t listen or even gave her a hard time just for the fun of it, and she would just let it go and hope something sunk in. Then on occasions, I noticed when she recognized her lessons took hold and she was so happy to see that we developed that understanding.
KINDHEARTED:
My mom was so gentle and loving, even in discipline. I remember how, in times of justice, she wouldn’t shy away from spanking to get her point across… this was in the day when spanking was socially acceptable... but even then she was gentle and wouldn’t do it with anything but a plastic flyswatter that truthfully was more amusing than threatening and it quickly changed the atmosphere enough to defuse our tempers. And it was mostly comical because she would pick up both the blue and pink flyswatters and hesitate for a moment as if to consider which one was more lethal, and as I was fleeing from the scene... I would hear my brother Scott scream, “no, not the pink one!” I feel this demonstrates just how sweet and kindhearted she truly was… even in her moments of rage. And I believe that though our heavenly father’s judgments are just, he too is gentle and kindhearted in this way as he demonstrated by sending his son as a sacrifice and offers continuous revelation through modern-day prophets.
JOYFUL:
I’ve always known my mom to be a cheerful and happy person and even with all the heartache in the world she could easily put on a smile, and I recall times in the temple when her joy and smile seemed angelic… which clearly stemmed from her love and passion for the Lord’s work, genealogy, and a connection with her ancestors.
My mom has always strived to instill that joy in her children and others. I never really noticed how much until the other night when I was looking for solace through some memorabilia she passed on to my wife and it included my pedigree starting with my grandparents, and several generations prior. She clearly wanted me to find joy knowing my heritage and feel that connection she has always cherished.
CHRISTLIKE LOVE:
1 Nephi 11:23 christlike love is “joyous to the soul”
Also included in those documents were some postcards that I have no recollection of in childhood. Evidently when I was 5yrs old she was on vacation with my grandparents in Hawaii for a few weeks and she wrote me multiple times just to let me know she loved me and wants me to be happy. When I read these... for the first time... shortly after hearing of her passing, I sensed she was reaching out to me to bare that message again. And it was touching to know, much like my 5yr old self feeling alone or abandoned, that the message of eternal love, from eternal families through heavenly fathers plan offers that sense of comfort and peace we all desire during life’s hardships and I look forward to that day we’ll be reunited.
Moroni 7:47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. or her.
I testify this is true, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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