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Monday, October 06, 2014

Finding Your Own Sacred Grove, Part II

So many beautiful comments were made during my class. I really felt more blessed and edified as the instructor than I'm sure many of my "pupils" felt being instructed by me.

At the very end of the class a sweet woman—who I wouldn't classify as old but who had already raised her brood—came up to me, patted my arm, and said, "You know, I think motherhood is a Sacred Grove."

I haven't been able to stop thinking about that since.

Motherhood is a Sacred Grove. But that's probably another post for another time.

Another comment that I loved came from my friend Kaitlan, who pointed out that all these people we discussed felt that element of surprise—that God was actually talking to them, that He cared to answer their prayers, that He wanted them to do a great work. None of these people particularly felt up to the task. They felt a little unworthy, like they weren't good enough (perhaps a bit of "whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies"). And just maybe, she said, since we're all here, we're also feeling like we need to improve. And maybe that means we're doing better than we think we are.

I loved the challenge of preparing to teach this class (even though it stressed me out for months). In a way it became a Sacred Grove for me as I had a reason to hone in on one gospel topic (not that you need a reason for in depth study—but a reason is a good kick in the pants). It's kind of what prompted us to take our trip up to Palmyra (and I'm so glad we did). I learned a lot.

Another friend in the Relief Society presidency in our ward—I had a bunch of friends from various Relief Society committees show up (I think out of pity since they're the ones who submitted my name for this assignment)—said after that she loved my lesson and that she had asked to have me as a Relief Society teacher because she knew I'd be great but was told no because the Primary wanted me. Part of me was like, "Aw, how sweet!" and part of me was like, "Dodged that bullet!" because, frankly, teaching five-year-olds is way less intimidating to me than teaching a room full of grown women (even though Katie whispered from the front row when I admitted to my class that I was nervous, "You're giving us way too much credit if you think we're thinking on a higher level than five-year-olds.").

All in all, a good experience that I'm glad is behind me!

1 comment:

  1. I love the idea of motherhood being a Sacred Grove, and look forward to reading more thoughts on that eventually. Definitely I can see it in the same way as not feeling qualified to do it, and having to trust in the Lord to supply grace and strength for it day by day.

    Sounds like your talk was really encouraging to the ladies who heard you. Thanks again for sharing your notes!

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