Gratitude Changes Attitude --

Gratitude 

Taking the day off in Alabama

     I remember being a young mother with little children and a very little budget.  It never seemed to bother us for we always had food on the table and plenty of love in our home.  Our children were healthy and happy.  We re-cycled the Halloween costumes from year to year from child to child and Christmas was always joyful because it was a day we played games together and delighted in each other’s happiness as they opened a small gift from each family member.  One Christmas we went to a relative’s home who only had two children and it seemed that each child had more gifts than our entire family put together . All the gifts were in expensive wrapping paper and they color coordinated the decorations on the tree.  I sensed a feeling of discontent in myself as well as my children as they eyed the great display of gifts. I remember one of my little girls saying as we returned to the car, “Mommy and Daddy thank you for all the nice gifts that we have at our house." That little girl was Emily who is now married with four children of her own.  I think she must have taught President Monson his favorite statement “Think to thank” because she always would remind us as parents to thank everyone for everything.  It shows in her children today as they always thank us for anything we do for them even just coming and visiting.

     The expectation that more is deserved can cause our plate of plenty to appear empty.

     Gratitude is a higher law and a quality that has to be cultivated until every moment of life is a moment of gratitude.  Gratitude is next to reverence and reverence can’t be separated from revelation.  Joy and happiness comes from gratitude.

Remember the scripture “And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things”.  Gratitude is a saving principle, it is a binding commandment. 

3 of Emily's children

Emily's family

     The more blessings we receive the greater responsibility we have to help those less fortunate than ourselves. The following are some thoughts that came to me  in 2007 on gratitude:

Life is full of purpose and meaning, just look for it, there is goodness everywhere.  Open your eyes and see the beauty there in, be kind, be joyful and be involved in good causes.  Help those that are downtrodden, those that have lost hope and invite them to look up.  I can give meaning to life.  I am life.  I am the light of the world.  I am the provider of all that you have.  Look up and live, look down and die.  I am here for all mankind.

Come to me and I will come to you.

Seek me and I will be your companion.

Knock and I will open my arms to you.

Call after me and I will answer.

Look for me and you will find me.

Think of me and I will be with you.

Be my eyes as you see the downcast.

Be my hands as you see the hopeless.

Be the caregiver as you see the helpless.

Be my smile that will cheer up the weary.

Be of help when you see the tired.

Be of comfort to those that have none.

There is no reason to walk through this life alone – I am in every footstep, that will safely bring you home, home to a life of splendid joy and love.

I will be your light in the dark, your eyes in a bleak world, your staff when you are lost, your comforter when you are discouraged.  “I am hope” The hope of a brighter today.  

"And he who recieveth all things with thankfulness 

shall be made glorious; 

and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even

an hundred fold, yea more."