Fulfillment

This is a personal and self-indulgent blog entry. Proceed at your own risk.

I had the great opportunity last night to listen to Sister Julie Beck, the General Relief Society President, speak to a packed chapel and gym full of Relief Society sisters. Prior to her talk, we were counseled (through a letter from the First Presidency) to not publish our notes from meetings with church leaders so I will only share my feelings and impressions because I am a rule follower!

I, like a lot of people, don't have the ideal life that I planned for myself as a teenager but Heavenly Father didn't promise us the "dream. " He promised us experiences. My experience here on earth isn't necessarily what I would have chosen for myself but it really isn't bad being me. I have a lovely, wonderful life and I'm surrounded by equally lovely and wonderful people who support and love me. Some people might think I'm missing out because I don't have the ideal but I received a powerful witness last night about my role as a single woman on this earth at this time. It confirmed to me something I know (most of the time) that I'm not missing out on anything at all.

My responsibilities as a single sister are great. I'm to take care of wives and mothers who are weary because I have the energy and strength to do so. I'm to take care of the poor, the needy, to do missionary work, to work in the temple. Sister Beck also mentioned that many of the single sisters are technologically savvy and I laughed at that part because, hello, I am the gadget queen!

I talked to two friends today at church who also attended the meeting last night and they both said to me "weren't you overwhelmed by what you're supposed to do as a single sister in the church?" And honestly, I'm not. Not even a tiny little bit. My life has always been filled with purpose and direction and last night was just a sweet confirmation that I'm living the kind of life my Heavenly Father wants me to live. Of course, I need to do more (don't we all!) but I only feel peace and contentment as the messages from last night mill about in my head. I'm fulfilled by my role as a single sister. I'm grateful that I finally have some kind of explanation as to why I am the way that I am.

It's okay for me to still want the ideal, to hope for a husband who is a faithful Priesthood holder and a family to call my own. But you know what? I'm going to continue doing what I already do which is to acknowledge the sad and the hurt when it comes and move forward. I'm going to magnify the gifts I've been given instead of wishing for things I don't have. I'm also going to enjoy the experiences as they come my way (please say you'll remind me of that when life gets crummy??)

And now, I've gotta go make a carrot cake for my friend with lung cancer. And yes, I planned to do that BEFORE last night!