peace, be still

I woke up at 5:15 this morning. I was out the door by 5:30. The sun was on it's way up and I had a lot on my mind. Breathing the fresh air and watching the sunrise is the best way for me to clear my head. I ran for about a mile and walked another 3 or so. I came home feeling much better. Determined, inspired, ready to take on the day. I made french toast for breakfast and heard little feet pitter-pattering down the stairs. Soon we were all in the family room dancing to "Gettin' Jiggy with It" which is not only Daddy's favorite song, but Simon's too. He's got moves like you've never seen on a ten month old. We ate breakfast, loaded the dishwasher, said family prayer, sent Daddy off to work, and started our school routine. Songs, scriptures, the Pledge of Allegiance, math, spelling, history... it's now 10 AM, which is reading time. I've decided to put off reading The Mockingjay and enjoy some peace and quiet. I can never get enough of that. The baby is only going to be asleep for an hour or so, and I need to be serious about what happens during the quiet moments of the day.

While watching the sunrise this morning, I thought back to a conversation we had with our friends over a fire in San Clemente. I admitted that even though I am trying my BEST to get everything done, I am really slacking when it comes to doing the essential things that bring peace and contentment in my life. And at the end of the day, when I am feeling empty and frustrated, I know it's because I am not still enough... I don't make the time for prayer & personal scripture study-- the only things that bring lasting peace and happiness. I've been feeling this way for some time now, but I have lots of excuses... at the top of the list is a new baby. Well, he's ten months old and it's time for me to stop using excuses and start getting to work. The most important kind of work I can do. Because when momma ain't happy (or feeling peaceful and calm) nobody is.

This video really hit home for me. You can find James E. Faust's extended version HERE.