Repetition

I was reading a blog this morning where a woman was discussing how often the Savior repeated himself when teaching. How often He said the same things over and over. Maybe He said it a little differently here and there, but basically it was the same things over. And over.

This is good for us. We are told that hearing the "plain and precious" truths over and over will help us keep perspective while living in this world, help us on the straight and narrow. I have had clients complain that they hate going to church because they hear the same message. Over and over. To me, that is comforting; an unchanging, a constant I can count on in this unstable and often unpleasant world. In fact, I am looking forward to going to church this morning. I know exactly what I will hear, I know I need to hear it, and I know I will come home feeling refreshed and uplifted; buoyed for the week to come.

So repetition is good. It is reminder. If we didn't hear it weekly, (and daily in scripture study) we might lose sight of our goal, of what is important.

So.

I think of how often I tell my children the same things. Over and over.

Put your dirty clothes in the hamper.

Hang up your backpack.

Put the dog food pitcher away.

Clean up after yourself in the kitchen.

Don't yell at your sister.

Clean your room.

Brush your teeth.

Say your prayers.

Do your chores.


You get the idea. I say these things 3 or more times daily to each child old enough to do them. Usually it is about the third time a day, or after about a week of saying the same thing at the same time that I get sick of it. I mean really, how often do they need to be told? Can't they remember these things on their own? I get so exasperated with this process. I get SO TIRED of repeating myself.

It just might be that this repetition will benefit them someday; I will have drilled into them a sense of cleanliness and organization that they will take with them when they move out.

Why can't they get it while they still live here?

Anyway, after pondering the parallel of the Saviors repetition with that of parenting, I think I can have more patience. After all, how may times has the Savior reminded me of something I have been told over and over? Something I needed to be told again? Even as an adult, I am still working on those basic Christlike attributes and will be for the rest of my mortal life. And where would I be if Christ threw in the towel because I exasperated him so much? So, here's to another week of me reminding my children of the same things I always do, and to me being reminded of the things I need to know.

Happy Sabbath!