Lesson Learned

I have never really had a super strong testimony of fasting.  I do it because I know I am suppose to, and I am ashamed to admit it, but halfheartedly.  Then last month when it was my turn to give the lesson to my Beehives (the 12 and 13 year old girls at church) I was able to choose from several lessons.  Fasting kept coming to my mind.  The lesson did not seem like it would be as much "fun" to teach as the other lesson, so I decided to print out the other one.  

Two times the other lesson would not print out.  I thought my computer was broken.  I asked Ed and we printed something else out.  It worked just fine, so I tried to print the other lesson out again.  Guess what?  No printy.  I took that as a hint from the Lord and printed out the Fasting lesson, and you know what?  It was a miracle!  My computer printed that lesson out just fine.

I gave my lesson and it was great!  I learned that I was not a very good "faster".  I knew the next Fast Sunday had to be different.  I NEEDED to do this correctly.  I had to start the night before, it was essential for me to have a true fast.

I felt good having had a good fast.  I had a purpose, I remembered to pray(before I was on my way out of the door for church).  I had done this right.  So why do I not feel any differently?  I had no great revelation. There was not an urgency to do something.  I just felt the same.  Well, maybe a little better because I had done this right, but perhaps I would not see the great effects from fasting until I had been implementing it in my life for a while.

My visiting teachers came on Wednesday.  Mallory had a little "incident"(shocking, I know).  They complimented my parenting.  Then today on the way down the stairs, I realized that I had been a better mother this week.  Resolving conflicts without blowing up at my kids, being more patient and loving with my kids, and trying to see things from their point of view.

Guess what I fasted for this last month?  That's right, to be a better mom.  I am so blessed to be a mom of these fantastic kids.  And blessed to be a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father, who so desperately wants to bless us. All we need do is ask.