Welding, Habits & Crossroads

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Ryan spoke in church this last Sunday. The topic was something along the lines of "How Scouting supports the Aaronic Priesthood". I think he kindled a bit of passion and an understanding of what a great organization the Boy Scouts of America is. I am a bit partial to him, but man alive can that guy speak! I LOVE it!

One of the quotes he read really made an impact on me. As you read it think beyond the boys and scouting. Think about your role with either your own children, or children you have an impact on......

"The whole object of our scouting is to seize the boys character in it's red-hot stage of enthusiasm and to weld it into the right shape and to encourage and develop it's individuality so that the boy may educate himself to become a good man and reliable citizen for his country." 

-Baden Powell 

Isn't that a fabulous quote? "seize [their] character in it's red-hot stage of enthusiasm..." SHEESH! What a fabulous combination of words to describe the passion every child has for learning at one point or another, and the passion which we should use to help "weld [their enthusiasm] into the right shape and encourage and develop [their] individuality"!

This has left me thinking about how vital my role is in the lives of my children. This last week I read a quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley, that was directed to the women.....

"You are the bearers of the children. You are they who nurture them and establish within them the habits of their lives. No other work reaches so close to divinity as does the nurturing of the sons and daughters of God."

-Gordon B. Hinckley, "Stand Strong against the Wiles of the World" Ensign, Nov. 1995

How beautiful is that?! Beautiful and humbling. I haven't been able to get "establish within them the habits of their lives" out of my mind, since I read this. What a responsibility! Everything from spiritual habits (personal prayer & scripture study), kindness, serving others, expressing and feeling gratitude, taking care of our physical bodies, etc....all of these habits are first taught by us. As their Mothers, we have the most influence when it comes to "welding" their characters, not at all to outshine the powerful impact fathers have upon them, but our responsibilities mold habits, because of our vigilance to the constant ebb and flow of their daily choices and reactions.

Ryan also read a poem that has been quoted by President Thomas S. Monson.....

"He stood at the crossroads all alone, 

the sunlight in his face. 

He had no thought for the world unknown, 

he was set for a manly race.

But the road stretched East, 

and the road stretched West, 

and the lad knew not which road was best.

So he chose the road that led him down, 

and he lost the race and the victors crown. 

He was caught at last in an angry snare, 

because no one stood at the crossroads there, 

to show him the better road. 

Another at the self-same place a boy with high hopes stood, 

he too was set for a manly race, 

he too was seeking the things that were good. 

But one was there who the roads did know, 

and that one showed him which way to go. 

So he turned from the road that would lead him down, 

and he won the race, and the victors crown. 

He walks today the highway fair, because one stood at the crossroads there, to show him the better way."

- Sadie Tiller Crawley

It is sad to read "because no one stood at the crossroads there, to show him the better road". The combination of three quotes have reminded me to be present so that when my children come to the crossroads in their lives they will see their parents waiting there to show them which way to go, because we know the same roads they will face. 

Man, I love stuff like this! It makes me so grateful to be a Mom and helps me realize how present and selfless I have to be in order to help these kids succeed. Pretty amazing job, I say! :)