Unfinished and halfway and okay

Perhaps like some of my readers, I struggle with postponing my happiness and sense of peace until "everything" is done--laundry up-to-date, church callings planned for, dinner prepared, new house decisions of the day decided, rooms tidy, finances in order, scriptures studied, desk clear.

And yet I never seem to get to the "done" part. Funny how that is.

I was struck by something I read that Elder Russell M. Nelson said back in October 1987 as he spoke to the women of the Church:

Sisters, be patient. I know something of the pressures you feel. Your kitchens are too small. Your budgets are too tight. Demands upon you exceed your capacity to help all who cry out to you. Through it all, “Improve the shining moments; Don’t let them pass you by” (Hymns, 1985, no. 226).

 Take time for spiritual regeneration.

I’ll share a few lines that have sustained Sister Nelson through the years. They also reflect her sense of priority:

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait ’til tomorrow.

For babies grow up,

We’ve learned to our sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs.

Dust, go to sleep.

I’m rocking my baby,

And babies don’t keep.

 

I’m glad Sister Nelson has not tried to be a “supermom.” But she has been a “soothing” mom. This she has done simply by being herself.

When priorities are in place, one can more patiently tolerate unfinished business.

I love that last line so much. Being okay with incompleteness is part of accepting the Savior's grace, recognizing that it will never all be done, but He can make up for the rest. "It" could be translated to be our mundane to-do lists as well as our own characters. As long as our priorities are where they should be, we are doing fine.

The quote above is one that I have on a plaque from my mom. I am not good at following it but am working on it. I am trying to remember that people are more important than tasks completed or a clean house. I realized this morning that I don't qualify for the Lord's blessings based on how much I've accomplished or completed. I qualify based on my obedience to His commandments, my service and charity, and my reliance on His Son. And of course, I qualify simply because He allows us to through His perfect love and compassion.

So I am trying to be okay with unfinished business just as soon as I finish the laundry and prepare dinner and and just enjoy this beautiful, happy day.