Presidency Message

This time of year seems to be more hectic than any other time of the year. We as women worry about making sure that Christmas is as perfect as we can make it for those around us. This leads us to become very stressed. I know there have been many years that I haven’t really enjoyed Christmas because I was too worried about what I now think of as fluffy stuff.  The Stake Relief Society Presidency sends out a newsletter to the Ward Relief Society Presidencies each month. As I pondered what to say this month I felt prompted to share the message Sister Peggy Arsenault shared.  

“In a meeting with President Searle, he asked, “What do you think is the one area that sisters in the Shelley Stake are struggling with the most?”

We answered that we believe the sisters’ desires to serve more and give more are larger than their physical, emotional, and financial ability to do so. The sisters in the Shelley Stake have charitable hearts and their desire to help others is the foundation of all the relationships in our stake. We love that you love your sisters, but we worry that you over extend yourselves in trying to meet all the needs and wants you see.

President Searle listened and then gave us this directive: “Ask the sisters to simplify one thing this season. It’s unrealistic to expect the sisters to be able to simplify everything, but it is possible to choose one area and simplify that one thing.”

A few years ago, I did just that. I work with 20 people in my office. A long time ago, someone started the tradition of giving small individual gifts to every person plus the $5.00 gift for the Christmas Party. I had been “Grinchy” about that requirement for 10 years. I always saw it as $25.00 burden. I needed that money to use for my family, especially when we were so desperately trying to live within our means and our budget rarely met the long list of family needs.

One year I stopped; I just couldn’t do it anymore. I made a batch of ‘Rhodes’ cinnamon rolls and told everyone that was my gift. During the month, several people stopped to thank me for “breaking the tradition”. Some had spouses that had been laid off, some were facing medical issues and bills, others had different reasons, but all of them were relieved to stop doing the ‘work gifts.’ By choosing to simplify in one area, the “Grinchy” part moved out and there was more room for the ‘Spirit of Christmas;’ and I felt it.

It might mean fewer Christmas cards are sent or home teaching is done without the cookie plate. Maybe it’s fewer gifts under the tree or fewer activities. Find one area, it will be different for each of us, but it will be worth it. Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency in his October 2015 conference talk, Of Things That Matter Most, stated:

“Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship—the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace.””

I hope you have a marvelous Christmas and can let something go, simplify that one thing so that you can more fully feel the Christmas spirit. Take Elder Oaks words to heart and even though it is good is it the best. Remember that Christmas is about our Savior not the fluffy stuff.

     Have a Merry Christmas. Know that I love you and most importantly our Heavenly Father and Savior love you.

                Rayanne Cook