A Funk and a Promise

I've always thought daily scripture reading with my children would be a nice idea. In theory.  Only recently have I felt a strong desire to pursue it actively.  I had been in a little bit of a funk and after giving a Visiting Teaching lesson about bettering your family by first bettering yourself, I thought that reading my scriptures alone every day might not be enough.  So a few months ago, I formulated a plan and we put it into action.  And I waited for my in-house struggles to disappear.  Or not.

True story:  For nearly the first 2 weeks of reading scriptures each night as a family, my funk worsened. My patience was tested, my temper seemed short; I was overwhelmed. 

Then, I was running with Michelle early one morning, during which time we seem to have a lot of epiphanies.  And I had one.  I was telling her how I was striving to read each day with Greg and the kids, but didn't feel like it was paying off.  And then it hit me.  Of course I wasn't.  In this life, when we up our game and try to be more righteous and obedient, Satan ups his too.  It was suddenly very clear to me that this was the reason I was still struggling.  If scripture reading is too inconvenient, too rowdy, too frustrating, why not just quit and try again when they're older? Because it will be hard then, too; harder, maybe.  Also, in that scenario, Satan gains a small victory over my home.  BUT, if we will perservere and be diligent, we will be blessed.  And we were.

It was as if, immediately after my realization came, the change began to happen.  My temper wasn't so fragile, patience came a little easier.  The battle for peace in my home was more personal.  It's been a couple months now; I think we've only missed 2 nights of reading.  And one of the perks of incorporating something new into my family's schedule is that my children are like elephants - they never forget.  Even when it's late or we're cranky, somebody always remembers. 

When we started this new ritual, Ethan was just beginning to take off as an independent reader.  And when we began to read the Book of Mormon together, he soared; now, he is essentially fluent with scriptural language.  The little boys are more wiggly, but even they like to have their turn to read. 

The lesson:  In retrospect, it was hard to start.  Even though we are committed to doing something righteous and productive in our home, we cannot expect Satan to stand idly by while we slip farther from his grasp.  We have been told that the most important work we will do will be within the walls of our own home, and we have been promsied that if we will be obedient, we will be blessed.  We're working hard to have the Spirit in our home, to do the things our Heavenly Father has asked.  And we have been blessed - in more ways than I ever anticipated. 

Satan hates to lose. But today, in my house, he will.  And tomorrow. And the next day.