A Child of God

Over a year ago, when Braden was just a few weeks old, he and I shared a tender experience that I never had a chance to record. Recently this memory was brought back to my mind and I wanted to record it.

"I am a child of God, and He has sent me here, has given me and earthly home, with parents kind and dear. Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way, teach me all that I must do, to live with Him some day." These are the words to one of the most common of all primary songs, sung within our church. I learned this song, probably as a three year old, when I started going to primary, maybe even sooner. For twenty plus years, I sang these words countless times, but they never had as much meaning as they did when I had my sweet Braden. The meaning of the words changed.

I was not the one being referred to as the "child of God" but rather the one who would "teach Braden all that he must do to live with Him someday." As I sang these words to Braden one night, as I was rocking him to sleep, tears welled up in my eyes as I realized my purpose as Bradens mother. Our Father in Heaven has sent me and angel and it is my responsibility to take my knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and of our Fathers plan, and teach it to my sweet son. The veil has been placed over his mind, and although I am sure he is still close to heaven, time will wear, and he will forget the memories of his past life. It is my job to remind him and to teach him of the Plan of Happiness that will take him back to our Savior, Jesus Christ. As I sung, I could not finish because of the emotion that I felt. I thought I would just move on to another song.

I chose "Families Can Be Together Forever". I sang "I have a family here on earth. They are so good to me. I want to share my life with them through all eternity. Families can be together forever. Through Heavenly Fathers plan. I always want to be with my own family. And the Lord has shown me how I can. The Lord has shown me how I can."

Once again, I could not make it through the song. It had new meaning for me as now I had my own child, and my own family whom I wanted to be with forever. Our Heavenly Fathers Plan of Happiness has new meaning in my life as a mother and wife. I am so thankful that through my Savior, Jesus Christ, who atoned for my sins, I can repent and better myself so that I might return to live with him again. I am thankful that I can live with my family for eternity, as long as I teach my children correct principles, and teach them to follow our Savior. I am so thankful to be a mother to my sweet, hilarious, wild, boy Braden, and the wife to such a faithful and righteous Priesthood holder. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful family, and epsecially wonderful parents who taught me the truth and shared their testimonies with my siblings and I. I always want to be with my family, and I am thankful for the knowledge that I can.