Fill Your Cookie Jar -- Part 2: Let Go and Let God

Grasping this "fill your cookie jar" is a hard one for me. I still have this idea that being a good mom means being with your children all the time. What makes you a good mom is between you and the Savior, no one else. (Of course, living prophets have "eyes to see" so definitely make sure the revelation you receive is in line with them). As I talk to my mentor, I find myself blaming decisions or even noticing that I've built my idea of what makes me a "good mom" on other people. When we sit down with the Savior and He interviews us about our lives, I need to have been getting my counsel from Him. I can't be pointing over my back at the people behind me saying "but she said I should _________." I have to know the Savior because I've received counsel from Him; because He has directly guided my life.

My mentor and I brainstormed what "filling your cookie jar" looks like. One thing that will almost surely be in there is visiting teaching. She said leaving your kids at home while you visit is imperative. Do it on a Saturday while your husband watches your children or whenever you can leave them home. Without children present, you can be open to the spirit to minister to these women. This is a time the Lord has set aside for you to fill your cookie jar; to become spiritually empowered. Use the strength He is offering you. Be His hands on earth to bless the lives of those you teach.

Something I'm going to try to do is leave my children with a babysitter or someone once or twice a week for a few hours. This time is exclusively for me to fill my cookie jar. Being a stay at home mom doesn't mean you are necessarily with your children all the time. Use this time to rejuvinate yourself; get a pedicure, write in your journal, go on a bike ride, or just go to the park and walk by yourself.

Some things you try might not fill you; that's okay. We are like scientists who get to tweak our experience, changing little details until we get the result we want. If we make a choice we don't like, choose differently next time, let the atonement have part in your life by using it, and move on. Don't keep beating yourself up about something Christ has already suffered for. I struggle with this; for example we didn't go to the temple last month and I still keep feeling guilty that we haven't gone. Just move on, make plans to go, and let the atonement cleanse your inadequacies. Let go and let God.

Images are from a photoshoot featured on UtahBrideBlog.