Thoughts of Gratitude

A few weeks ago, we had a lesson in Relief Society about adversity. The sisters were invited to contribute with their own thoughts and ideas. I had talked with my new Relief Society President eariler in the week and she was aware of the various struggles Ron and I had dealt with in the past, so as the lesson progressed, I noticed she kept looking at me and I suspected she wanted me to contribute to the lesson also. But I couldn't do it.

The sisters who contributed to our lesson needed to share their struggles and their pain was real for them. I felt that anything I could add might seem to take away from their experiences. I spent a full week thinking about that lesson and what it means to me. I don't feel the need to share my struggles because I feel like I have been blessed because of them (or in spite of them). I wouldn't want to experience those trials again, but I have a deeper feeling of gratitude for all areas of my life.

Planning our move to Washington was difficult because people we knew offered negative views and half-hearted good luck wishes. Except for my family. So to my sisters and father: I love you. I am blessed to be part of your family. I am grateful to have felt your support in our family move. I love that my sisters took time to come over to see me the night before the move. I am thankful that our life-long friendship exists through good and bad. I love that Crissie gave me yarn and a knowledge base and I am continuing with what you taught me. I am very grateful to think of my family with fondness and love as I sit with my crochet project each evening. I am thankful for the FREINDSHIP of this family.

I was given a scripture to share that may have been meant for the end portion of that Relief Society meeting (unfortunately we ran out of time); D&C 121, verse 7-9 "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;... And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high:..."  And Heaven would be nothing without our families beside us.