As most of you know (or probably recognize), timing in Primary is essential! Timing through Sunday--beginning on time affects if we squeeze every bit of info we can before it's time to go. Timing through our weekly meetings--not only starting on time, but ensuring the projects/activities are timed right so we fill the time we have with the children just right (not too much or too little). Lastly, timing as we serve in our callings--ensuring teachers and leaders know they are valued for their time spent, wishing teachers and leaders "good luck" on their new assignments when their time in Primary with us is up, and placing new teachers at the right time with new classes.
It's all a great balance. Often, we, in the presidency, feel we're balancing balls on our heads, with plates stacked on top of those, all the while we're balancing on log on a tight rope. Forgive us when you see a plate or two fall. :)
Because the subject has been on my mind so much, I researched a little and found this beauty of a talk, by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, given in October 2003. I would encourage you all to read the entire talk (click on the link above) but I'll just highlight a few paragraphs here.
"In all the important decisions in our lives, what is most important is to do the right thing. Second, and only slightly behind the first, is to do the right thing at the right time. People who do the right thing at the wrong time can be frustrated and ineffective. They can even be confused about whether they made the right choice when what was wrong was not their choice but their timing.
“The issue for us is trusting God enough to trust also His timing. If we can truly believe He has our welfare at heart, may we not let His plans unfold as He thinks best? The same is true with the second coming and with all those matters wherein our faith needs to include faith in the Lord’s timing for us personally, not just in His overall plans and purposes.”
Indeed, we cannot have true faith in the Lord without also having complete trust in the Lord’s will and in the Lord’s timing.
In our service in the Lord’s Church we should remember that when is just as important as who, what, where, and how.
"We prepare in the way the Lord has directed. We hold ourselves in readiness to act on the Lord’s timing. He will tell us when the time is right to take the next step. For now, we simply concentrate on our own assignments and on what we have been asked to do today. In this we are also mindful of the Lord’s assurance: “I will hasten my work in its time” (D&C 88:73).
"Because of things over which we have no control, we cannot plan and bring to pass everything we desire in our lives. Many important things will occur in our lives that we have not planned, and not all of them will be welcome. Even our most righteous desires may elude us or come in different ways or at different times than we have sought to plan.
"So what should be done in the meantime? Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ prepares us for whatever life brings. This kind of faith prepares us to deal with life’s opportunities—to take advantage of those that are received and to persist through the disappointments of those that are lost. In the exercise of that faith, we should commit ourselves to the priorities and standards we will follow on matters we do not control and persist faithfully in those commitments, whatever happens to us because of the agency of others or the timing of the Lord. When we do this, we will have a constancy in our lives that will give us direction and peace. Whatever the circumstances beyond our control, our commitments and standards can be constant.
"Commit yourself to put the Lord first in your life, keep His commandments, and do what the Lord’s servants ask you to do. Then your feet are on the pathway to eternal life. Then it does not matter whether you are called to be a bishop or a Relief Society president, whether you are married or single, or whether you die tomorrow. You do not know what will happen. Do your best on what is fundamental and personal and then trust in the Lord and His timing."
I sincerely hope these words comfort you as much as they have me. As I said, it's been a lot on my mind so I hope you will forgive me for indulging a little on what's been pressing on me lately. Have a great week!
