Prayer can help us set our priorities straight and keep our lives in balance.

I certainly don’t claim to have a perfectly balanced life. However, it is something I strive to achieve. I have learned through experience how important it is to prioritize my time and attention–especially as my life has become more involved with a husband, two small children, church responsibilities and the many hobbies and interests I’ve picked up along the way.  It seems that there’s no way I can do everything for everyone all of the time. So that’s when I turn to prayer.

 I feel truly blessed to have been born to faithful parents who taught me how to pray. I learned at a young age that prayers are heard and answered; and I have been able to apply that knowledge throughout my life. As I have grown older, I’ve also grown a closer relationship with my Father in Heaven, to whom I speak; and with my Savior Jesus Christ, in whose name my prayers are closed.  I know that Heavenly Father knows and loves me; and I know that Jesus Christ comforts and blesses me.  Because of my relationship with them, I know I can always turn to them in prayer.  It is when I’m praying that I can be completely open and honest with my struggles, my worries, my troubles, and also what I am excited about and grateful for.  My prayers are heard–not only by Heavenly Father and Jesus, but by myself.  It is when I am completely honest with myself, knowing that Deity is listening, that I can see clearly what my first priorities should be. 

 Through prayer, I’ve come to understand the importance of my current role as wife and mother to my family. I’ve watched my children rapidly grow from babies into toddlers into kids; and I know that quality time with them is both a blessing and a top priority.  I also know how important it is to strengthen my relationship with my dear husband, with whom I have chosen to share my life. So that’s also a top priority.  I feel so blessed to have a loving family that brings me such joy and I know they are a gift from heaven. And for that, service in the church is a top priority. Through service, I am able to show thanks to Heavenly Father for all he’s given me—especially for the fact that I have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.

 The miraculous thing of it all is that, through keeping my family and church as top priorities, I am able to enjoy all the hobbies and interests that I love.  For my family: I cook for, sing to, paint with, write about, sew for, take pictures of, enjoy the outdoors with, read with, and seek out all sorts of adventures. For my church–which acts as an extended family for me–I am able to share many of the same interests and hobbies that I enjoy with others.  Of course, I still schedule time for myself when I’m not needed elsewhere. But it’s amazing to me how keeping my priorities straight has enriched my life in a way that I wouldn’t have imagined.  I know I still have a long way to go before my life is perfectly balanced. But through prayer, I am learning how to get there; and I know the Lord will help me every step of the way.

By Shilowe Martin