Last night we had a Family Home Evening on gratitude. Specifically we talked about why we were grateful for each other. I tortured my teenager and preteen by making them write down why they were grateful for their family members.
Each of us now has a sheet of paper on our bedroom door to remind us why the other people we live with are grateful for us. In case you’re wondering, my family is grateful for me because “she keeps everybody on task”, “is the perfect roll {yes, roll} model”, “she has good snuggles” and “she is a great kisser”.
When I got in bed I thought it would be wise to see what the scriptures have to say about gratitude so I could further encourage the idea to my children. I quickly found myself racing from verse to verse, happily caught up in a chain of thoughts and words on the subject. At one point I drew up from my pillow, let out a tiny gasp and and read the words God had meant FOR ME to have and understand right now:
“That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.”
Alma 34:38, The Book of Mormon
The last line of that verse hit me like a ton of bricks. I was immediately embarrassed by my sad whining yesterday about being too busy to show gratitude for an entire month, instead settling for a mere week. Though we celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving once day a year, the blessings and mercies of God are ours EVERY SINGLE DAY. Every day can be a day of thanksgiving and gratitude if we let it.
And so as I teach my children about gratitude, I realize that I am still learning how to be grateful myself. Every day.
4 comments:
Amen to that one.
I'm grateful for you and for the great things you share with us on this blog....love you DF.
Beautifully expressed today! A reminder that I need to hear daily!
I wish here in Spain we had a holiday similar to Thanksgiving. I think is a really beautiful holiday and sure it's sometimes really difficult to be thankful about the ordinary things because we get lost in the rush of every day happenings... but if at least there is one day each year to remember it, it's a lot!
Since cancer strike into my family, I've been trying each day to be thankful of everyday little things! They mean a lot!
I think they forgot to mention that they are thankful for you because "She is such an awesome mom!".
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