Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Do Better Than Me!

When I was growing up, our parents would occasionally say to us,
"Try to do better than we've done."
Most of the time this came when we were complaining about a rule or a chore or a financial crunch.
I've always appreciated the freedom that gave me to work away at life, having a little healthy criticism of some things without losing their love or making them feel like I was being disrespectful (I am certain that I was disrespectful as a teen). This has been especially helpful in my adult years while I've tried to work out life's road with my husband and children.
This quote in particular, that I just read, hits home a bit.

"Many of the Savior's harshest rebukes were directed to hypocrites. Jesus warned His disciples concerning the scribes and Pharisees: 'Do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not' (Matthew 23:3). This strong admonition is sobering given the counsel to 'express love—and show it,' to 'bear testimony—and live it,' and to 'be consistent.'"The hypocrisy in our lives is most readily discerned and causes the greatest destruction within our own homes. And children often are the most alert and sensitive when it comes to recognizing hypocrisy."

David A. Bednar, "More Diligent and Concerned at Home," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 20


I know that I am far from perfect.
I know that our children know this (well, Kathryn says that I'm right)
And we've told our children the same thing,
"Do better than us."
I'm just happy that,
as a mother,
I can be real with our children and we can just work through this life together,
all of us working hard and lovin' each other.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I'm glad you listened, Sherrill, and have done better than your parents. I am constantly amazed at what my kids have been able to accomplish in spite of our bumbling parenting.
Love you,
Dad