For Mothers of Young Children
How God Answered My Prayer for Patience with My Kids
I wasn’t sure that Heavenly Father was going to answer my prayers for patience.
I always thought I was a patient person ... until I had kids. As much as I love my children, there’s something about the lack of sleep and energy that comes with having a newborn combined with cleaning up the cereal that was spilled on the floor for the third time that day that makes you question your ability to be patient—or at least your ability to endure.
With three little kids to take care of and my husband gone a lot finishing school while also working a full-time job, I found myself praying often for my Heavenly Father to help me be patient with my kids.
Finally Getting an Answer
It seemed like I had been praying for this help for a long time and getting no clear answer. But then one day I had a unique experience.
I had just found a new mess in the kitchen and was getting ready to raise my voice in frustration when the words “What would Christ do?” flew into my head. I felt some of my anger leave as I thought of those words. I wasn’t immediately filled with complete peace, but that statement helped me put things into perspective and handle the situation better.
Throughout the rest of that day, I kept hearing those words in my head whenever I was tempted to lose my patience and get upset about something.
Later that night while getting ready for bed, I realized that God was answering my prayers. Those words I had heard were His reminder that our Savior is the best example we can follow—including when it comes to having patience as a parent.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “As parents are patient and persistent in loving their children and in becoming living examples of disciples of Jesus Christ, they most effectively teach the Father’s plan of happiness.”1
I prayed to thank my Heavenly Father for hearing my plea and strengthening me that day.
God Answers Our Prayers
I have often heard people say that when you pray for patience, God does not give you patience but instead gives you hard experiences that help you develop patience.
That day, however, I felt that God was literally giving me patience. I knew that those words “What would Christ do?” were coming from the Spirit, who was helping to teach me to be a better person and to become more Christlike.
Our Heavenly Father loves us, and He wants us to become our best selves—or at least the best we can be on limited sleep and covered in spit-up. I know that God answers our prayers even if it does not seem to be on our time frame or in the way we expect. As President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) told mothers: “When all else fails, there is prayer and the promised help of the Lord to assist you in your trials. But do not delay. Start now, whether your child be six or 16.”2
I know that God knows our struggles and loves to help us in any way that He can. As we turn to and rely on our Savior, we will find the strength we need to push forward and continue to improve and endure.