Charity, the Pure Love of Christ, Part 2

I finished the chapter on charity today and I am filled with gladness and the sweet joy of the Spirit as I read of the Prophet Joseph's endless kind deeds and cheerful, loving manner. One thing that really stood out to me was a story that one brother told of playing ball with Joseph. When they were finished playing ball, Joseph told them all to get their wagons and they went to gather wood. Once the wagons were full, Joseph played stick pull with anybody who wanted to compete with him. After that, they completed their task by delivering the wood to those that needed it and cutting the wood for those that couldn't do it for themselves.

One of the great lessons herein pertains to my role as a mother. Joseph stopped and played with the brethren in between working. There are soooo many tasks that need to be accomplished in a day's time and I find myself regularly frustrated and stressed out as I attempt to check everything off my list and control my children's completion of their tasks. How often do I just stop and play with them??? Life is not meant to be simply endured but enjoyed. I need to find ways to incorporate more play time with them. First, that will lighten the mood in our home and make it a more enjoyable place. Second, it will enhance my children's desire to listen to me because they will feel more affectionately toward me as we play together. Also, I will feel more affectionately toward them as I spend fun, quality time with them.

My goal for today: play with my kids!