We also had Elder Tate from the Quorum of the Seventy and his wife come and speak to us. They shared wonderful messages about the Temple, reading the Book of Mormon, and increasing our spirituality. One of the messages shared really struck me and I wanted to share it with you. I didn't take notes and this was several weeks ago so I know I won't do the story justice but the message is important enough (especially to us mothers) that I have to try.
There was a family that he knew with a son who was about 12 years old. About this time their son started hanging out with the wrong crowd. He came home late with his clothes smelling like smoke. He kept getting in fights and refused to go to church. He was disrespectful and treated his family like garbage. His parents were beyond frustrated. They didn't know what to do. They tried talking to him but he wouldn't listen. They tried groundings but it didn't help. They felt like they were losing him.
One night he came home late as usual and smelled like smoke. His mother said good night as he stormed off to his room. He pretended he didn't hear. Her feelings of anger and frustration flared. She felt overwhelmed and confused. She prayed to Heavenly Father, as she had done many many times before, as only a mother can. "What can I do? How can I help him?"
" Love him."
She couldn't deny the answer she had received. "Love him."
She went to his room and stood by the open door. His lights were off and he was asleep in bed.
"Son, I love you", she whispered. Then walked away.
The next night she did the same thing. Every night she would go into his room and tell him how much she loved him. She would sit on his bed while he was sleeping. She would run her hands through his hair, stroke his face, and tell him how much he was loved.
She did this every single night for 5 years.
Eventually, he grew up and much to the surprise of his parents he began going to church again. Then the day came when he left to serve a mission.
Two years later, after he had returned home, he was in the kitchen making some lunch. Mother was in the living room visiting with a family friend who was having trouble with her own way-ward son.
"Tell me what I should do? You helped your son grow out of it. Give me some advice?"
She replied, "Just give him time. He will probably grow out of it like my son did."
Her son over heard and came into the living room. "Mom, that's not what happened. I didn't just grow out of it. You use to come into my room every single night and tell me that you loved me. You thought I was asleep but I wasn't. It was knowing that you loved me that helped me change."
Elder Tate went on to say that it may take us 5 years or 50 years but the time to love is when it's the hardest.
My mother's love for me was so great I have worked hard to justify it.
- Marc Chagall
No influence is so powerful as that of the mother.
- Sarah Josepha Hale
Be A Hero. Be An Organ Donor.
