In our church, we have a "program" known as home teaching. Every family is assigned two home teachers. The purpose of home teaching is to watch over the members of the church--make sure their needs are being met, care for them when they are sick or going through trials, leave a blessing in their home on a regular basis, etc. It's a way to alleviate an overwhelming responsibility for the leadership of the congregation and provides an opportunity for everyone to serve as Jesus did. It's an inspired program.
My companion was not able to come with me this afternoon. And on those rare occasions, my boys get to fill in and join me during the visits. Both Mark and James wanted to come today.
Now...I'll be honest. Home teaching visits can be particularly challenging for me. For me, I'd prefer a few minutes of being cordial and just chatting about what's been going on, a few minutes with a spiritual message, and a prayer. 15 minutes would be perfect. But for a reason I'm sure is considered a "learning opportunity" for me, I am generally given elderly couples who don't mind shooting the breeze for a good hour or so. About 20 minutes in, I start to feel anxious...trying to figure out how to politely interrupt so we can wrap things up. And then after an hour, I have an out-of-body experience where I see myself screaming at the situation and running out of the house. It's a good comic relief for what is otherwise painful and stressful. Don't get me wrong--I love the families I visit and watch over. The visits can just be physiologically challenging.
Why did I share all of that? Because today was no different...until the car ride home. And the car ride home helped me put everything in perspective.
Sure, I would have preferred a shorter visit. Yes, it was still challenging for me and I went through all of the emotional and mental struggles I experience month-to-month.
But these are the topics that Mark and James brought up as we were driving home: challenges and trials of this life; physical hardships and the fact that Heavenly Father is always mindful of us and watching over us; death; the spirit world; the Second Coming of Jesus Christ; resurrection; final judgment; heaven; the Celestial Kingdom and how we need to live our lives to qualify for it; eternal families; baptism; repentance; the sacrament; the Savior.
Yes, each of those topics was discussed in a matter of 15 minutes on the drive home. And if that wasn't good enough, here's what my boys said as they were getting out of the car and walking into the house:
James - "I like these kinds of conversations."
Mark - "Me too."
Those kinds of statements make everything else totally worth it.
6 comments:
You have got that right. When your kids are learning and sharing in the experiences like this it is the best. You are a great Dad and you have great kids.
Cool post! Your kids sound awesome.
I remember when we were little we had a home teacher who liked to stay at our house forever!
a.) I have missed you writing...please do it more.
b.) I love you...please keep doing what you're doing.
c.) you made me cry
d.) I love your kids
e.) I want to be more like you when I grow up...and I'm serious.
f.) I love that things like that (pre perfect experience with your kids) make you anxious. I knew I liked you.
g.) I miss you.
oh, you have to love kids. that had to be one of those never forget moments. there is a reason we do those things that are sometimes so challenging for us. like have kids, huh!
Now you know why I enjoy being with my children so much. It's fun to be a Dad, and now you know.
Thanks ever so much for sharing about H.T. I too have challenging feelings about V.T. What keeps me in the proper frame of mind is my mother, your grandma, who kept going V.T. even after a few strokes and it was very hard for her to communicate. That is my spur, glad you had that experience with your great kids.
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