Gratitude

November is the month of gratitude and thanksgiving.  Facebook is filled with people listing daily things they are grateful for.  In the past, I joined in this tradition but this year I’ve remained silent.  It’s not that I’m not grateful but I’ve been so caught up with life that I find myself on my knees “asking” instead of “thanking.”  I’m starting to feel like a little kid asking her daddy for help with everything. 

Life is busy and never ending with 5 kids.  There are doctor visits, orthodontic visits, and driving to and from scouts and gymnastics and an array of many activities.  The laundry only takes hours to complete.  I’m exhausted just thinking about it.  I find myself pleading for strength and stamina to get through my day.  My need for blessings and help from my Heavenly Father always come first.

Tonight as I was scrolling through Facebook, I noticed a post from The Busy Mom about some advice her mother-in-law gave her.  She said, “Praise instead of pray.  Praying takes a sort of energy that I don’t have right now.  Praising, on the other hand, requires nothing of me except a thankful heart” (https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/busyhomeschoolmom).  Thomas S Monson said, “Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven.”

I still have needs and require help.  I’m still that little girl crying to her Heavenly Father to lift her up and sustain her during hard times.  Life is hard and anyone who says differently isn’t living it right or is trying to sell you something.  But instead of focusing on my needs (of which there seems to be plenty to go around,) I’m going to be grateful for my blessing and praise my Father in Heaven who endowed me with those blessings. 

The help will come, of that I am sure.  God is in His heaven and He is in control.  I praise Him for His tender mercies and loving kindness.  I thank Him for the infinite Atonement of Christ, which is far greater and more vast than just a forgiveness of our sins.  I thank Him for love; love of my husband, love of my children, love of my parents and siblings, love of friends, love that sustains me and lifts me up higher than I can go on my own.