I'm in a reflective and melancholy mood this Thanksgiving morning. It started with watching Tyler Wilkinson's documentary on the BYU channel while I was preparing food our meal this afternoon. The documentary was about his journey in life after his accident when he was a senior at Dixie High which paralzed him; the documentary ended with an interview with him today. A few minutes later I picked up the newspaper and read an article about a stroke survivor who 'fights his way back - one blink at a time'. Of course I can't help but think of my dear mother, who, just one year ago yesterday had a stroke while staying at my home. I remember those anxious moments driving to Cedar with her in the car, unable to speak or even move. She slept all the way down and I worried that she wouldn't make it until we got to Cedar. That was the same day as my mother-in-law's burial service in Cedar so I was anxious about that too.
Today I'm thankful for those 6 extra months I had with my mother. They were sweet tender, unforgetable months. I certainly can see the Lord's hand in her life as well as ours during those months. To prolong her life and then to have her daughters with her at her passing was indeed a sweet tender mercy of the Lord. I am grateful for my mother. Thank you, Mother for the blessing you were in my life. I miss you.
How I've Seen the Hand of the Lord in My Life This Week:
I see the Lord's hand in my life everyday. I need to do better at acknowledging it. Here is just a sampling of how I've seen His hand in my life this week:
- A phone message from my son, ERICK, telling me he loves me. The Lord knows I pray for him every day. This was a tender answer to a prayer
- The opportunity to help LORI in her well managed home and kitchen is a blessing to me. Being amazed at how well she copes and manages with the limitations she deals with on a daily basis - with no murmuring.
- Watching Lori and Kelli interact with one another while at Lori's. The love they demonstrate to one another is very touching.
- KELLI's generous and giving nature
- JODI, weary and worn from working a new CNA job while still in training, managing to be the best mom to her dear Sophie and Caleb. She brought them over tonight (they are spending the night since Jodi has to work at 6:45 in the morning) all bathed and ready for bed, lunches for school made, everything in order and in place. Then kneeling by their beds and praying together. A sweet and tender scene
- DOUG picking up the slack this week around the homewhile I was literally not home all week. He cleaned and did laundry - even folded and put away all my laundry, then took my car in for repairs. The best part: NO COMPLAINTS! The Lord has blessed me with a good husband
- The Love my GRANDCHILDREN show me. I love their hugs and kisses and sweet words. They are all such GOOD kids!
- It is evident that I see the Lord's hand in my FAMILY! I love them so much!
I shared with a colleague at lunch today how I had seen the Lord's hand in my life repeatedly though some significant trials I had experienced (and am still experiencing to some degree!) I also shared an experience in our Sunday School class on Sunday when the instructor asked the question: "how have you felt Jesus' love and concern for you?" I believe it is important to share our testimonies and experiences of the Lord's hand in our lives - when prompted and appropriate, to show to Him our gratitude and acknowledge that we DO know He is there and aware of us. [In a future post I will share more of my experience.]
Karen Phipps
Invitation to Share Your Thoughts
I've been thinking about this for a long time - ever since Elder Eyring's talk a year ago. Even though I haven't quite got the hang of the blog spot thing, I think I can still get this started. If you feel so inclined, add a thought each day - or how often you'd like - about how you've seen the hand of the Lord in your life this day. It will help us be aware how much He is really there for us, and we can be inspired by others' comments as they share.
Elder Eyring's Talk
How Have You Seen the Hand of God Reaching out to touch you or your family today??
In his October '07 conference address, Pres. Henry B. Eyring urged us to find ways to recognize and Remember God’s kindness. For several years, he would take a few minutes each day to record how the lord had touched his life. He says:
“I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter who tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: ‘Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?’ As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.”
The rewards of writing down his experiences were profound for President Eyring. He explains: More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our REMEMBRANCE – even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened… We come to see the hand of God more clearly, so clearly that in time we not only REMEMBER Him, but we come to love Him and, through the power of the Atonement, become more like Him.
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