The Stake RS President gave a wonderful talk about shepherds herding their flocks and how the shepherd knows each sheep by name and a shepherd goal is to take the sheep to hirer ground for nourishment, much like our Savior.
She told of some missionaries that asked a shepherd if they could wear his coat to see if they could fool the sheep into following them. They tried and the sheep were confused because they knew the coat but not the voice, so they did not respond. When the shepherd put the coat back on and called to them, they got back in their grouping and followed the shepherd.
It was a lot to think about, so many things relating to us and the Savior to sheep and the Shepherd and also how the adversary will try to fool you with what looks or sounds good, but isn't. I thought a lot about how confusing things in my own life are that might seem good, but eventually aren't.
Then our Stake President spoke. He gave a list of why men are happier than women, here it is for you:
Why Men Are Happier Than Women
1. We keep our last name.
2. The garage is all ours.
3. Wedding plans take care of themselves.
4. Chocolate is just another snack.
5. We can be president.
6. We can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
7. Car mechanics tell us the truth.
8. The world is our urinal.
9. We never have to drive to another gas station because this one's just too icky.
10. Same work, more pay.
11. Wrinkles add character.
12. Wedding dress - $5000; tux rental - $100.
13. People never stare at our chest when we're talking to them.
14. The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
15. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle our feet.
16. One mood, ALL the time.
17. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
18. We know stuff about tanks.
19. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
20. We can open all our own jars.
21. We get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
22. If someone forgets to invite us, he or she can still be our friend.
23. Our underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
24. Everything on our face stays its original color.
25. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
26. We don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
27. We almost never have strap problems in public.
28. We are unable to see wrinkles in our clothes.
29. The same hair style lasts for years, maybe decades.
30. We don't have to shave below our neck.
31. Our belly usually hides our big hips.
32. One wallet and one pair of shoes, one color, all seasons.
33. We can "do" our nails with a pocket-knife.
34. We have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
35. We can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives, on December 24, in 45 minutes.
1. We keep our last name.
2. The garage is all ours.
3. Wedding plans take care of themselves.
4. Chocolate is just another snack.
5. We can be president.
6. We can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
7. Car mechanics tell us the truth.
8. The world is our urinal.
9. We never have to drive to another gas station because this one's just too icky.
10. Same work, more pay.
11. Wrinkles add character.
12. Wedding dress - $5000; tux rental - $100.
13. People never stare at our chest when we're talking to them.
14. The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
15. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle our feet.
16. One mood, ALL the time.
17. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
18. We know stuff about tanks.
19. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
20. We can open all our own jars.
21. We get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
22. If someone forgets to invite us, he or she can still be our friend.
23. Our underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
24. Everything on our face stays its original color.
25. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
26. We don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
27. We almost never have strap problems in public.
28. We are unable to see wrinkles in our clothes.
29. The same hair style lasts for years, maybe decades.
30. We don't have to shave below our neck.
31. Our belly usually hides our big hips.
32. One wallet and one pair of shoes, one color, all seasons.
33. We can "do" our nails with a pocket-knife.
34. We have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
35. We can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives, on December 24, in 45 minutes.
Although some of these are funny but true, the reality for me is that as a woman, wife and mother, I feel the world on my shoulders most all of the time. I am responsible not just for how I look, but how my family looks. How my house is taken care of. Remembering doctors and dentist appointments. Family Prayer. Getting my children into bed at reasonable hours. Making sure every one eats every meal every day, three times a day. Purchasing food and clothes while keeping to a budget for a family of 6. Making friends. Keeping friends. Being the tooth-fairy. Teaching my kids about the gospel. Teaching my kids to read. Remembering birthdays or even just to take or pick up kids from friends/school/hockey/dance/swimming....
It just got me to thinking that even though it can feel like a heavy load, it's life. I have a wonderful life with a loving husband and happy kids, plus great friends and family to help me along the way. I am happy.
It just got me to thinking that even though it can feel like a heavy load, it's life. I have a wonderful life with a loving husband and happy kids, plus great friends and family to help me along the way. I am happy.
2 comments:
For me, this is a very thought provoking post. It is crazy the load that we carry as women and mothers. But, I don't want my husband's responsibilities either. It's definitely true that this life isn't meant to be easy - for any of us.
I have to laugh at so many on that list!! Charlie always tells me that I carry too much and to let some of it go.. sometimes having it makes me secure ~ I know.. a little morbid for me.
I think for both of us we have decided that no matter how heavy the load gets, we are going to have fun carrying it and when it doesn't become fun.. we need to change our perspective. We just want to be more happy and ~ I am excited for that happiness!!
and btw, you have an awesome family that I adore reading how you spend your time together!!
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