Lenna Lambert
GUEST COLUMNIST
On Sept. 16, the doctor laid a beautiful baby girl in my arms. Her blonde hair, blue eyes and chubby cheeks caught my heart immediately and it was love at first sight. The wonder, the beauty... wait. Could that have really been 19 years ago? It seems like it was just yesterday.
When I was a young mother changing diapers and chasing kids, my mother-in-law in her wisdom told me, "Enjoy your children while they're little, because it goes quickly."
At that time I did not understand. Now I do. Having my blonde-haired beauty getting married at the end of December was quite a surprise for me. She is following the marriage of her older brother who got married in May of this year. Our family is shrinking quickly -- and growing -- at the same time. I am grateful for our new additions because they add happiness and joy to our family, but I just wasn't ready to see my kids grow up so fast.
I have a little friend named Jackson Butler. He started kindergarten this year and was excited when his mother Jeri took him school shopping. As they began their trip, Jackson looked over at his mom and asked, "Mom, are we going to be in a hurry today?"
Jeri said that comment really made her think. It seems we are always in a hurry. That shopping trip went at Jackson's pace and ended up being a wonderful day for both of them. This story touched my heart and often as I bustle about, I think of my friend Jackson asking, "Are we going to be in a hurry today?"
Sometimes I believe that hurry is causing me to miss the good things in life and the moment is gone before you know it.
An ancient American prophet, Jacob, had these same reflections of his life many years ago. He said despite the challenges and difficulties his family faced, "our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream" (Jacob 7:26).
And so it seems. This time of reflection has caused me to ponder on the quality of my life. I do believe this life is meant for men to prepare to meet God. And as the time goes so quickly, even as a dream, our daily efforts to build God's kingdom is more important than oft times I realize. In truth, not all of us are given 100 years. My mom only got 47. We have no guarantees, making it important to give our best every day.
So what really matters? A rich young man approached the Savior with this question, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" The Savior answers with the basic truths of happiness we have always been taught: keep the commandments, do not commit murder, adultery, steal or bear false witness, honour thy father and thy mother, and love thy neighbor as thyself.
The young man answered: "All these I have kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?"
Jesus said unto him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. And when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions" (Matt. 19:16-22).
When contemplating this passage, I have reflected on the things that are stopping me from giving my whole heart to the Savior. He is not asking us to keep His commandments like a checklist. He wants us to know Him and love Him to the point we would hold nothing back. This takes great effort. Heartfelt prayers, fasting, studying and giving up things we know are not good for us is the daily effort we must maintain. I have often wasted days knowing that I can never get them back. But I can put those behind me and make the best of today. This is the one day that is mine to do with as I please. What if it is my last? Would I be in a hurry? Would I spend time on my knees begging for forgiveness? Would I help a friend? Love a family member? Study the scriptures and try to understand God's plan for me?
As Kenny Chesney says with his latest hit song, "Don't blink, life goes faster than you think."
Enjoy it, make the most of it and don't be in a hurry.
Lenna Lambert lives in Grantsville where she serves in the Primary -- the children's organization for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is the mother of six children.