Gratitude

This is a month to show our gratitude for what we have.  Actually, we should be thankful all year round, and I think we really are.  But in the rush of every day needs and challenges, sometimes I just forget.  I whine and I complain. 

I grump about the kitchen taking so long, when in reality I am very grateful that I am able to get a redone kitchen, and that we are making progress towards its completion.  I'm grateful that I have electric appliances that make up for not having an oven and stove top.  And I am grateful for restaurants that are close by.

I whine about the weather, it's too hot or too cold or too wet or too dry.
The reality is, I am grateful for the rains when they come, and even the frosts that force the growing season to an end.  Hooray for less yard work for a few months!  Don't you think?  I love being able to look out my window inside my warm home and see the snow fall and hear the gentle rain and see the magnificent sunset bathing the beautiful mountains in shades of pink...

Sometimes I grump about people I love.  That's probably the saddest grump of all, because my dear family and choice friends and friends who have become family, how could I survive without you?  None of us are perfect.  I love each of you and love the wonderful things you bring to my life.  I am so very grateful for you.

And I grump about having to go to Church when I'd really love to take a long nap, and about serving when I'd rather be reading ... How could I ever be so vain and so callous about my gratitude to my Father in Heaven?  The Gospel and the scriptures and the Temple and the Sunday meetings and opportunities to serve, all the things associated with the Church bring me closer to my Father in Heaven, who loves me.  I am eternally grateful for that knowledge and that love.

Of course, I could go on and on and on and on.  God has blessed my life.  I know He has blessed yours.  It is so humbling to pause for a minute and realize the depth of those blessings.  I am trying this month to note at least one thing each day I am grateful for.  That is the why behind my status changes on Facebook.  It helps me to stop and think and express my gratitude.  See also the movie on my sidebar.  I love Elder Oaks comments.