Saturday, November 27, 2010

Friday, November 26, 2010

So Much Thanks!

This Thanksgiving season has been pretty awesome for me! A couple weeks ago I started to really get into the feeling of Thanksgiving when a little interesting something happened to me.

I was leaving Salt Lake a few hours before rehearsal, and had just passed Thanksgiving Point (which actually has nothing to do with the story, just a point of reference for those of you familiar with the Utah valley), when my car began to shake, and I heard this awfully loud "vrooming" sound. At first I attributed the noise to the construction crew using a jack hammer near me, but soon realize that it was, indeed, my car.

I did not freak out. Which surprised even myself! I just thought, "One of my tires is blowing out. I need to pull over." And so I gracefully changed lanes and pulled off into the shoulder, which had been widened for construction.

I called Andrew, who was in Moab for work. He said he would try to find me someone to help me. But before he did, a nice man working construction came over and asked if I needed help. He so kindly changed my tire and I was on my way in probably less than 30 minutes. As I pulled away, I noticed that I was able to pull off into the last piece of the shoulder for about a mile.

All week I kept thinking about this, and could not help feeling overwhelmed by gratitude for the man who so willingly helped me out, and for the calm composure I was able to maintain through the whole experience, and just how perfectly everything worked out.

It seemed to re-open my eyes to a small concept that we often overlook and take for granted.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." 
- James 1:17

"For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil." 

Everything good we have is given to us by our Heavenly Father. Even when we believe we are working all on our own, He provides us opportunities and sources of relief and help. When we are willing to listen, He will give us peace to sooth, strength for the uphill climb, and comfort for our hearts. The more we listen and receive, the more we see His hand in all we do.

How grateful I am for all that He has provided me with, I cannot describe in words. So in fear of injustice I will simply say:

I am so thankful for everything I have been given. I am grateful for dear Andrew, and all my family. I am so grateful for friends,the Gospel, my home, health, education, employment, and all the little things that bring me happiness.

I just feel so outrageously thankful this year. 

It's a wonderful feeling.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!