Well, I am wrapping up my series “On Motherhood and God”. I am not really sure how it went over with my readers or if I’ll ever do something like this again, but I will finish what I started with a concluding post:
I knew that God and Jesus were one in purpose, but Jesus had always been my favorite because of the Atonement. Afterall, He suffered for me in Gethsemane and then died for me on a cross. He felt all the pain, disappointment, and grief I would feel. He was my Advocate and Mediator with the Father. He was on my side. God was more distant and removed and besides, what had he done for me personally?
Once again Motherhood gave me a different perspective– this time on God’s role in the Atonement. Now I believe that God’s parental sacrifice was equal to that of Jesus’s sacrifice. Jesus chose to give up His life for us, but God also allowed his Son to be killed. He watched His son in pain and removed himself by choice. In fact, James E. Talmage said, “the Father seems to have withdrawn the support of His immediate Presence”. In order for Jesus to complete the Atonement, He had to be completely alone and God knew that.
I am in awe of God’s immense parental courage and self-restraint to not exercise His strength and power under feelings of such grief. He could have stopped His Only Begotten Son’s suffering in an instant, but He wanted to save me and you and all his children, so He watched for a time and then walked away. Imagine choosing to leave your child in that kind of suffering so that you could save your other children. I am a bit ashamed that I thought God never did anything for me personally. As a parent, I can’t think of a much more difficult, heart wrenching, personal act.
I am grateful that Motherhood has taught me lessons about God’s character, but I still have a ways to go. I still have my days where I feel picked on, unloved, not as special or unheard. God and I still aren’t BFFs, but I do trust Him more and question Him less. And Motherhood can help me understand Him more each day.
(This year I wrote about what Motherhood has taught me about God. Next year, maybe I will write about what God has taught me about Motherhood.)
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![I spoke in church today and said the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the greatest act of Charity. I read Moroni 7:45-47 to make my point. But wherever there was the word ‘Charity’ I substituted it out for ‘the Atonement of Jesus Christ.’ See if these scripture verses now have new meaning for you:
“And the Atonement of Jesus Christ suffererth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth in the truth,
[The Atonement of Jesus Christ] beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not the Atonement of Jesus Christ, ye are nothing, for the Atonement of Jesus Christ never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail-
But the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.”
So Easter really reminds us of love. The first and greatest commandment.](https://www.raisinglemons.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Tiffany,
I am not sure if you remember me. I am Chelsea’s friend Emily. She was one of my roommates at Ricks College. Anyway, I found your blog from her Facebook page. I just wanted to let you know that really like your blog, and have really enjoyed your series on Motherhood and God. Thanks for sharing you testimony. You have a gift with words.
By the way…your kids are darling!
Tiffany. So amazing. I have enjoyed every word of this series. You are an amazing and inspirational person and mother. I’ve really learned from your insights and have strengthen my own understanding and perspective on our loving, and sometimes good humored Heavenly Father. Love the blog and all your efforts, keep up the amazing job your doing.
You have a gift Tiffany. Your mom was inspired to use a lemon to describe you.( a little side note, I eat lemons like people eat oranges, I love sour things ) As always I love your honesty. It is refreshing, kind of like lemonade on a hot day. Keep up the writing you have the ability to influence a lot of people.
I really enjoyed this series. Your honesty throught was refreshing and inspiring. Great job.
You better do another series like this! I loved reading this every day. Thank you for the things YOU have taught me on motherhood.
This is really a great series and I have looked forward to every day to hear about your experiences with each of your kids. Thanks for sharing about your personal life and for the lessons you have taught me about motherhood and God. Love this tiff!
Tiffany, you are just plain awesome!