Mattie
I received this message on facebook:
Hi Laurel, my name is Mattie im a 12 year old girl and i just listened to your, You are what you belive CD. I want to thank you for making that. That REALLY helped me! Im super insecure in everything i do and what i look like. But now, I believe in myself and that I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father that loves me, and I love him. Thank you!
Mattie
One of my favorite things to do is speak at Girls Camp.
For whatever reason I've been blessed to be with thousands of girls in that most perfect setting. It has always felt like a privilege; one I do not take for granted.
I start getting requests in the late fall...just one or two. And then at the first of the year, they start trickling in even more. I've never stopped accepting invitations before. Basically, if I'm free on the date, I say "yes". I feel like that's what I should do.
Sometimes when you're single and there's no one specifically needing your time or your energy or your heart, it's nice to feel needed and it's also difficult to say "no" (I know it's hard for a lot of women in general to say "no" and we all have our different reasons. This just happens to be mine.)
But, I've learned my limits. I've figured out I don't have a never-ending supply of love or ability and I've also come to really truly know that I have to use time this summer to take care of myself.
About a month ago, I made the decision that my schedule for the summer was full. And it was time to start saying "no".
I'm trying to stick with it. I really am. I am at a place where I can say "no" to other things (and I have...yay me) but when invitations for Girls Camps come, I write the "no" email and then I go to send it. And I save it in my drafts. I can't hit send.
I have yet to hit send.
How do I say "no" to the opportunity to help girls like Mattie? I realize that it's not a "permanent fix". What I say...the way I say it...might connect with them for a time. But, Mattie will get older and she'll still struggle with insecurities and doubts and moments of not feeling loved. Of course she will.
I realize that I am not the only person who says what I say.
My message isn't unique or groundbreaking.
But I do feel compelled to share it.
Because I wonder...what if in those moments of doubt and insecurity...what if a girl like Mattie (I was a Mattie) remembers, just for a moment, the way she felt when she heard me testify of God's love for her? What if she sees herself differently after coming to understand just a little better that she is literally a daughter of her Heavenly Father? That is a truth I know to my core and I feel passionately about helping other girls know it to their core too.
And so, how can I say "no" to other girls like Mattie?
I seriously don't know how to say "no" to that.
I don't think I can.
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7 comments:
Look at it this way: you're not saying "no" to Mattie. You're saying "yes" to recharging:-)so you can do it again...
Remember this: Anne Morrow Lindbergh: “My life cannot implement in action the demands of all the people to whom my heart responds.”
It's OK to say no.
Especially with the scope of some of the other impactful things you do. Take care of YOU.
Ohhhh the heart tug. I love love love girls camp. This summer will be my first summer in many many years not going. I'd give you some advice - but I don't know if I could say "no" either.
If you don't say no to Mattie, then maybe you say no to something else. Balance.
I am so glad you can't say 'no'.
Perhaps that is one more of your incredible gifts.
Good for you.
The ultimate recharge is found in giving it all away. Finding yourself by losing yourself.
Perhaps you are in fact, emulating those we admire. Gordon B Hinckley comes to mind.
Forget yourself and go to work.
YEAH - YOU GO GIRL.
I hope one of my granddaughters is in your audience. YES....YES...YES!
You HAVE to say no sometimes and it's important to do so. Here's what you do...you keep doing just what you're doing. Writing books, making CDs and talking to groups when you can!! That's what you do. It's important what you are saying but you can't be pulled in hundreds of directions! It's okay to say no....you know who else says no? Our Heavenly Father because He knows what is best for us. So I suppose you should follow ask Him what you should do and do it!!!!!! He knows what's best for you and HE KNOWS it's okay to say NO...sometimes it's what's best. Doesn't mean you can't reach those girls in other way! That's why He has lead you to where you are in your life right now. Remember..HE LEAD YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE!
xoxoxo you're doing a fabulous job btw! :-)
This is such a hard concept...
On one hand, you need to take care of you, You do a LOT. You are busy. You get tired.
On the other hand..."sacrificing your time, talents, etc." this covenant which we temple goers have made. This willing covenant which we made, in order to recieve a fullness of blessings, doing the Lord's will.
Choose that 'good part' wisely.
Don't take this the wrong way either. Not everyone is Laurel, but many, many women have the ability to teach, share testimony, and love those girls at camp. This is not your calling alone. Sometimes you have to let those leaders fend for themselves, and learn to grow on their own. Who knows how someone else might grow by being given the opportunity to speak to those young women.
I am always amazed that it isn't always the professional, or popular, or cute, or smart, or experienced women that leave the biggest mark. Sometimes it is just the everyday woman, the one that doesn't stick out, but who loves the Lord and who took the time to pray for the spirit, and for inspiration.
The lord always helps his daughters get the job done.
So maybe it is okay to say no, and leave the growth and responisbilty to someone else. Someone that maybe needs it.
I think this is a very hard line. Be prayerful and you will know which ones to say YES to and which ones to Turn down.
Did I make any sense?
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