"My dear sisters, each of you is unique. You are different from each other in many ways. There are those of you who are married. Some of you stay at home with your children, while others of you work outside your homes. Some of you are empty nesters. There are those of you who are married but do not have children. There are those who are divorced, those who are widowed. Many of you are single women. Some of you have college degrees; some of you do not. There are those who can afford the latest fashions and those who are lucky to have one appropriate Sunday outfit. Such differences are almost endless. Do these differences tempt us to judge one another?
"Mother Teresa, a Catholic nun who worked among the poor in India most of her life, spoke this profound truth: 'If you judge people, you have no time to love them.' The Savior has admonished, 'This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.' I ask: can we love one another, as the Savior has commanded, if we judge each other? And I answer—with Mother Teresa: no, we cannot.
"In a hundred small ways, all of you wear the mantle of charity. Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which come her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out."
I had the chance to write the words to a fun song to introduce the purse theme. We sang it in a group of six-- each of us, by ourselves or in a pair, acting out the words for each stage of life while pulling the appropriate items from our purses. I had such fun with these animated ladies!
BLESSINGS FROM PURSES
by Amber Dahl
(to the tune of “Count Your Many Blessings”)
About this morning rendezvous, I was not told.
I reach into my purse and every doubt does fly,
My pink petunia lipstick helps my sweet spirit shine.
While looking at the Cheerios, I turn in fear,
To see my toddler throwing down a bottle of root beer.
Past cookie crumbs and potty treats and nail files,
Are baby wipes for bottoms and for Safeway aisles.
Forgot your lunch, oh here-- take this granola bar.
Let's safety pin your hem before you leave the car.
Here's spending money, cell phone, and a hug goodbye,
The scriptures on my iPhone help the time till curfew fly.
My hair is done, I'm late for work, no time to eat,
It's raining, my umbrella's not beneath my seat.
I grab a bag of trail mix from my purse and find
A grocery ad for shelter from the storm outside.
I'm driving in my Buick way before the sun.
My temple shift's at 6 until my back is done.
'Neath brag books full of grandkids and sudoku for my mind,
With bifocals my temple recommend I'll find.
CHORUS
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count the many blessings that from purses come!
Count your blessings, breath mint anyone?
Or sauté pan, or rubber band, or green squirt gun?
