The Blessings are Truly Worth the Time!

I was raised with the teaching that you accept a calling, no matter what it is. However, I know that we are allowed to say "No" to a calling if we want to and this is something I have been thinking about as I recently moved into a new ward and haven't yet been extended callings, but have told the leaders in the ward that we won't say "no" to a calling.

I know callings can at times be time consuming. Sometimes it even feels like it takes us away from other good things in our lives like being with our children and families. I've have been thinking about this and I been reviewing my time and how I spend it and I realized, how much of my own time do I spend doing things other than spending time with my children? The answer is quite a bit. Every time I watch tv during the day or read a book, or play on my phone/tablet I am not spending time with them. Now, that isn't to say that I should replace every other activity with spending time with my children- they need their own time just as I do. What I feel is that is time that would be freely available to fulfill a calling and time that should be spent on things of the Lord instead of giving it to the world.

When Christ was on the earth He was asked what the greatest commandment was. He stated that it was to “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength” (Mark 12:30), the second is like unto it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Mark 12:31. If I were to reject a calling, I would not be following that first commandment, for to Love God is to serve Him and there is no greater way to serve than to accept and fulfill callings. Also, when we accept and fulfill out callings we are not only putting God before anything else, we are also setting a great example for our children of where our priorities in life truly are. When we love the Lord and fulfill out callings, our families will be blessed in far greater ways than we could possibly imagine! Frankly, I can't imagine an earthy momentary memory that is greater than the infinite blessings that will be given by accepting and fulfilling callings! I also believe that part of the blessings that we will receive will be stronger families and more amazing memories that we will be there for!

I love the Lord, I love my Family, and it has been when I have put Him first in my life that I have felt all other things fall into place and I have come to feel peace and joy!