The Sermon on the Mount

This week has flown by.  We're trying to get ready to get out of town.  I've wanted to post since Sunday and haven't found the time.  The little ones are all finally asleep, so I have a moment of quiet.  It seems to me as I have gone through difficult times in the past and as loved ones and friends go through different phases where they are struggling, I always go back to thinking of simple things.  Maybe it is because I am a simple person and so simple solutions seem the best way.  Things like loving one another, being kind to others, patience, letting our light shine in a dark world, prayer, seeking wisdom.
Last Sunday in sharing time the theme was, The Sermon on the Mount.  The lesson was broken down into four parts.  Prayer, Hunger, Light, Love.  Four simple words, but with all the power in the world if actually put into our lives.  There was a question given to the older children.  "What would you do if someone was saying unkind things about you behind your back?"  The answer was suppose to be, you try to be kind to them anyway, letting your light shine.  But my sweet children went much deeper last Sunday.  A young boy in our ward who has had a very sad life raised his hand and said this very thing happens to him, all the time.  I asked what he did in the situation.  He replied, "I don't know, I just feel bad."  I could see that he was getting a little teary, so I asked the children what they could do for this young boy, who was one of us, our friend, our neighbor.  The children were very quiet, then hands started coming up. " We can all be extra nice to John (not his real name),"  a young girl said.  Another young man raised his hand and said, (his exact words)  "if you want a solution to this problem, we need to say a prayer for John and for whoever said the bad words, we need to pray together to help John."  This was from a little guy who is just eight years old.  After that we all talked together about how we as a primary could pray for John and could gather around him and give him support and love.  Last Sunday, these children learned the lessons the Savior gave in the Sermon on the Mount, and then they taught me.  They listened to the words of the Savior, the were confronted with a problem and they came up with solutions using His powerful, yet simple teachings to help a young friend.
Again I am grateful to be surrounded by children who remind me daily what is important in this life.  As I teach Sam to be "nice and gentle" to Dylan, I remind myself that those I love need to be treated just the same way.  As Jake demands my attention while he entertains me with his adventures and all that goes on in his wonderful imagination, I am reminded that others like to be heard.  The comings and goings and stories are important and I must be better at listening.  These little ones love hugs and loves,  who doesn't?  I need to remember to compliment out loud rather than just think that someone looks nice.  I must remember to hug and love those who are so dear to me.  And so as I go through my busy days, it is always good to take a moment and think of those teachings.  Take a moment to pray,  hunger for those great words that will lead me,  let my light shine, and love, always, unconditionally.