Simplify

“We human beings have a strange tendency to complicate simple things. We set up rules, laws, bylaws, processes, and subprocesses. Eventually, we pile up load after load until we end up under a huge weight of expectations that are so complicated it is difficult to keep track of them, let alone meet them.” -Pres. Uchtdorf (Acting on the Truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Worldwide Leadership Training, February 2012) 

Do you ever get so caught up in the details of your calling that you neglect or put important family matters on hold? Sisters, this is not the Lord’s plan. There is one calling in life from which we will never be released. That is the calling of wife and mother. But neither does this mean that our responsibilities in our callings must suffer. The Lord will provide a way for us to do all that He asks (see 1 Nephi 3:5-7), and he does not wish for us to neglect our families as we serve. 

May I suggest that there are a few principles we would do well to follow as we seek to fulfill our responsibilities in our families and in our callings? 
* Slow down while still being diligent. (Mosiah 4:27)
 * Simplify. (Alma 37:6) 
* Invite the Spirit. (Alma 17:3 and D&C 50:13-14) 

In the Worldwide Leadership Training from February 2011, there is a wonderful example which I would like to draw your attention to. In the following link at about 2 minutes 30 seconds in, there is a video which talks about spiritual preparation. http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/worldwide-leadership-training/2011/02?lang=eng&vid=779971295001&pkey=AQ%2E%2E,AAAAD5C7cik%2E,NkEKrBzbuXJBcGJrgsDFjLEiJ-nXhUBl&pid=610705729001 

What I loved about this video is how it showed that this sister fulfilled her responsibilities for her calling “while continuing to put the needs of her own family first” and “while applying the things she was learning in her own life”. Sisters we can serve and receive inspiration for our callings while taking care of our families and while fulfilling our own personal spiritual needs. Sisters, let us slow down and simplify our lives. And then let us be sure that we are doing those things which invite the spirit into our lives. We all know what those things are. I know that as we do this and seek to care for our families’ needs and especially our own spiritual needs first--even as we are pondering on how to best meet the needs of those we serve in our callings--we will be blessed with inspiration throughout our day and the Lord will give us direction and answers line up line as we need them. 
Thank you for your diligence, your care and concern for the children and families in your wards, and for your carefulness in living close to the spirit. These things bless the lives of us all. May the Lord continue to bless us each in our efforts, and may our families also be blessed as we serve. 

My love to you all. 
-Sister Colburn