Shame on You!

Okay, so how often have you been at the grocery store (or some other very public place) when your four-year-old suddenly starts singing (loudly) "Search, Ponder, and Pray" or "I am a Child of God"? And how often are you suddenly prodded with the desire to push your cart much quicker or even shush your child? I had one such experience this week. We were waiting patiently at the pharmacy for my prescription to be filled when my two year old asked my four year old to tell her a "holy story". What followed was a loud recital of some of the miracles of Jesus Christ. I know what you are thinking, every mothers dream. The two older children passing away the time, without arguing, and reciting gospel lessons, who wouldn't be thrilled right! So why was I suddenly very aware of the lady who stood up a moved over one aisle. Why was I so aware of just how loud the four-year-old was sounding. Why was I so concerned that the whole thing may appear to an outside subject as a put-on orchestrated by me! Paranoia? No! I was just embarrassed! Embarrassed; not because my daughters knew these stories or even that they wanted to hear them...with that aspect I couldn't be more pleased. I was just embarrassed with the attention that they were drawing and, and, wow...do I even have a good reason? I quickly reassessed the situation. I am a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am a Christian, I believe in Christ as my Savior. I know that the scriptures are true (just like my four-year-old who likes to sing about it in the middle of the grocery store). Why, Why should I be embarrassed? Answer, I shouldn't. Time and time over again the world would have us be ashamed of our beliefs and feel guilty for making people feel "uncomfortable". After all, I don't want to feel uncomfortable when other people do awkward things in public, right? Matthew 18:3 says "..Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Everyday I watch my children, they are such a miracle to me, and they teach me humility. They teach me to live my life according to what I know to be true and to not be ashamed. Because when I feel ashamed of the things that my children say and do that shows their innocence and faith, I am fearing man and not God. But unless I can look toward the Lord and realize that it is only Him whom I should fear to shame, I cannot be truly converted. It is not the opinion of the world that should concern me, but of the Lord God Almighty. When I go into my daughters' bedroom each night and look upon their angel faces and see the purity and love and sweetness that they hold, I thank the Lord that I have been blessed with a daily reminder of eternity. Do not forget; do all that you can each day to recommit yourselves to the Lord and be not afraid to let your light shine before men. Don't you dare hide it in a bushel.