Monday, April 4, 2011

If you really want to show me that you love me...



I can't say it any better than Elder Lynn G. Robbins. Watch it, please.

I recently did make a 'to be' list. I call it 'My Standard'.

Yesterday, this talk was given in General Conference. I think it was in direct response to my own poor parenting. And this talk spoke to me more than any other given this conference.

The day before yesterday, Katy made me a little snowflake out of paper, and colored it carefully. When she gave it to me, I was already frustrated and angry at being the only person to have done any work on the house that day. I had done laundry, dishes, cleaning, cooked, laundry, and dishes. So, instead of accepting her loving gift as I should have, I said "If you really wanted to show me that you love me, you'd help me."

While my statement may have been true, it wasn't said in a loving or teaching way. And what did Katy learn from it? Well, she walked away sad, and didn't help any more after I had said it than she did before. So, I'd say she learned that her angry daddy doesn't appreciate her.

Since listening to Elder Robbins's talk, I think I have done better. When the girls fought yesterday, I sat them down and talked to them about principles of the gospel, specifically about loving God and your neighbor. I reviewed that lesson with them on the way to school with them this morning. And, hopefully, one day I will get it to stick.

2 comments:

  1. You are a good dad. I love you!

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  2. You are a good dad Ben, your daughters love you and I know your wife appreciates you!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts...

    Andrea

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