A Prayer of Faith

We are thrilled to welcome Kirsti, our newest writer, who will also be the editor for our new “A ‘Mother Heart’” Feature.

As part of our new feature, Kirsti will be sharing glimpses of her life with her children. We invite any of you to submit fun and inspirational stories from your interactions with the children in your lives (your own and/or others you love and nurture). Send submissions to Kirsti at amotherheart at gmail d’ com.

Lessons from a Child

Today Rebekah (3 yrs) asked: Why can’t people see God?
Me: People can see God. Prophets like Moses saw God.
Rebekah: But why can’t we see God?
David (5 yrs): We can, Rebekah. When we die we will see Him and if we have enough faith we can see Him before we die.

It’s nice to know that if I’m not around; David will help Rebekah with her doctrinal questions!

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Nora (16 mos) got out everyone’s coats this morning to help them get ready for preschool. Her cheerful desire to help makes everyone in the family happy.

We have been working on some changes here at A Prayer of Faith. We have a new look, new writers (soon to be introduced), and a new feature, entitled “A Mother Heart.” Please note: This feature is not just for mothers! The purpose of this feature is to allow all of you to share fun, funny, and inspirational stories from your interactions with the children who are a part of your world. It’s also a place to share the joy you are discovering in your roles as woman, sister, aunt, neighbor, teacher, friend, mother, daughter…whatever may describe you at this point of life. (You can submit your stories and insights to amotherheart at gmail d’ com.)

The name of the feature was taken from the title of a talk, given by Sister Julie B. Beck in the April 2004 General Conference. We also took inspiration from a talk by Sheri Dew, entitled, “Are We Not All Mothers?”

Both of these women talked about how this role of “mother” is beyond just the bearing and rearing of children. It’s about nurturing, leading, teaching, and loving. It’s about covenant-keeping, serving, and opening our hearts. It’s about trusting in God and His individual plan for each of us — and being trustworthy in caring for His children, helping Him do His work in whatever capacity may be ours.

Sister Beck says,

Every girl and woman who makes and keeps sacred covenants can have a mother heart. There is no limit to what a woman with a mother heart can accomplish. Righteous women have changed the course of history and will continue to do so, and their influence will spread and grow exponentially throughout the eternities.

So, please share your experiences with us as you notice “mother heart” moments in your life. It is our hope that in this spirit of sharing, we can strengthen and inspire each other to open our hearts in love to those around us, and, by so doing, help the Lord in His work.

Submissions can be sent to amotherheart at gmail d’ com. Entries may be edited for length and content.

I had a visiting teaching appointment last night. As is often the case, I was rushed to get things done for my family, get myself presentable, and prepare the lesson. But reading the message almost stopped me in my tracks. It helped me remember the tremendous blessing that the Spirit can be in our lives. I was moved by all of the excerpts, but particularly appreciated this from Sister Eliza R. Snow:

When you are filled with the Spirit of God, … that [Spirit] satisfies and fills up every longing of the human heart, and fills up every vacuum. When I am filled with that spirit my soul is satisfied. … The Spirit of God will impart instruction to your minds, and you will impart it to each other. … Remember that you are Saints of God; and that you have important works to perform in Zion” (Woman’s Exponent, Sept. 15, 1873, 62).

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The woman who is described in Proverbs 31:10-31 is a most accomplished woman. We do not know whether she was a real woman, or an ideal woman described by King Lemuel’s mother, but it’s safe to say that what this woman accomplished was very possible in that day and age–otherwise, it is unlikely she would have been held up as an example of a virtuous woman.

Proverbs 31:
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She ariseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

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