I Am Thankful For...

I received this "Thankful" list from Relief Society and have add a few other things that I am thankful for or things others have shared with me. Truly, I think having gratitude helps us get through some of the rough times. When we are feeling gratitude and thinking about what we are thankful for, we can't think about our worries can we?

Here's what I am thankful for:

...the mess to clean up after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

...the taxes I pay because it means that I'm employed.

...the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.

...a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.

...my shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.

...all the complaining I hear about the government because it means we have freedom of speech.

...the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.

...my huge heating bill because it means I am warm.

...the lady sitting behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.

...the piles of laundry and ironing to be done because it means my loved ones are nearby.

...weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.

...the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I am alive.

...books to read because it means there are those who have information and talents to share.

...deadlines because it means I have to push to stay on task and accomplish a goal.

...changes because it means I can learn new things and develop empathy for others.

...waking up each day and finding out that all of my blessing haven't been taken away because of ingratitude because this means God is forgiving and loves me.

Now, for a minute, think about all of your many blessings. What if you were to wake up one morning and all blessings that you have failed to think about the days before are removed--taken away. You would certainly have cause to think about what you were missing wouldn't you? And just pretend that this became the new law of God--fail to have gratitude for a blessing and it is removed from your life forevermore--no expressions of gratitude could ever bring the blessing back into your life. Each day your blessings diminished because you failed to have gratitude for them. Day by day you would have less and less until you caught the vision of being thankful for what you do have instead of thinking about what you do not have.

Thankfully, life is not like this. But I do believe if we spent more time thinking about our blessings instead of our troubles or lack thereof, we would be a more thankful, grateful people.

And one more thing I am thankful for: I may not know everything. That's okay. Because I know that God knows. And that is ALL I need to know.