When are you too old to....

When are you to old to lean on your parent's and your friend's testimonies? I have come to the conclusion after a discussion with my Hunter a few weeks ago that growing up you MUST depend on your parent's testimonies to learn and to develop your own. It is one of the divine designs of being put into families during our duration here in mortality. Hunter had a friend over who was Catholic. We are not biased to what religion our children's friends are....we feel that there are good people all over and we can't judge or restrict contact because of religion. Anyway, Hunter was asking all kinds of comparison questions after his friend left" "...how do you know that our church is true?" "What makes our church different from Catholics?" I did my best and hopefully followed the spirit to the best of my ability to teach in that moment. He's a great kid and wants to do what's right, but still has to lean on parent's, grandparent's, and other examples for his knowledge.

I don't think you can ever be too old to need your parents. In fact, I know you can never be too old to need them. Even in adulthood when I have my own testimony and I know what is true and what I should be doing....sometimes it is refreshing (and I know Travis feels this way too) to draw strength from our parents. It's not that we don't know what we need to know - but it's helpful during times of trial that we draw strength from the source from which we started our own testimonies. Somehow it's all better when you see or hear what the "plan" is from your parents...even if you already know that if you are patient and just keep enduring you will come through on top - the Lord will bless you, and He won't ever forsake you. I'm sure God designed families for that purpose - to draw strength from one another. Hearing what a parent has to say about the "big picture" reminds me that the little minute amount of time we are here on earth is so significant - yet it is so short....

It's the adversary that kicks us when we are down....even if we feel we are being faithful in times of turmoil and stress - there are thoughts that enter our minds (I am speaking from personal experience) that make us feel like we are in that turmoil because we deserve it...because there is something we did wrong to inflict it upon ourselves and if we were just more righteous we wouldn't be in the situation in the first place. God doesn't put those thoughts in our heads - He is a God of love and encouragement, why on earth would he make us feel less than He Knows we are? This was brought to my attention this week....and I've had to put little red flags on my thoughts that disable my attitude and progress in trying to live happily through the Gospel.

In short, you are never to old to hear your dad say "keep doing what you are doing, be patient, the Lord sees what good you are doing and you will be blessed....I know it." That determination from the outsider gives renewed strength to continue on. I am so glad for friends and family who continually let me lean on their testimony when I feel weak - and maybe lost....I know mine is there but in the midst of adversity sometimes I need reminded. This has been the case during this week for Travis and for me. What a wise Lord to place us (or me) in the midst of such inspiring family and friends.

You are never too old.....so never lose that testimony of hope and brightness....I hope I never will - because I need to be that rock for not only my children, but my siblings, my parents, my friends, my neighbors....that's one thing I can do for the Lord while I am here- be His hands to lift another when I am up and they might be down.