My First Thanksgiving

I wasn't going to write anything on Thanksgiving this year.  I didn't last year, nor the year before that.  But as I sat back, the urge kept hitting me to write.  I have many thanks to give.  The last two Thanksgivings I didn't feel like I had anything to be thankful for.  So much was on my head, so much was going wrong for so long my mind was weary as well as my heart.  I remember last year reading everyone's daily facebook posts for the month of November about what they were thankful for and I would almost cringe every time out of jealousy because I truly felt I had nothing.

This year, out of habit from the previous two years I think, I started to catch myself almost doing the same thing.  Then I sat back and thought about it.  My first thought was how could I have been so selfish the last couple of years.  Even though there was much tribulation all around me, encompassing me, I still had my health, I still had my little family, I still had my extended family, my friends, a roof over my head, my wonderful ward family, and so on.  The list could truly go on forever.  This year, it's so much more.  I was so focused on my trials and everything hard that I was having to endure and push through, I forgot to see any joy in my life.  I still struggle with that daily.  Having been hit with trial after trial since end of 2004 has really put me in a nasty habitual state of woes.

Maybe this is what my trials are about.  Maybe it is to teach me how to find the light in the dark.  All trials have a purpose, no matter how hard they hit you.  There is always a plan Heavenly Father has that He presents through the hard times that are bestowed upon us.  We just need to be willing to look for it.  Keep our minds open through whatever it may be.

I'm sure this entry is more for me, more for my soul; to serve as a reminder as I continue down the road of life.  This year, I want to make a list of things I'm thankful for, not just for this year, but every year that has passed that I have chosen not to voice.

I am thankful for (in no particular order):

• My life
• My Heavenly Father
• My husband
• My children
• My childhood
• My parents
• My siblings
• A roof over my head
• My friends
• Transportation
• Music
• The gospel
• Uplifting music to listen to
• Running water
• Heat
• Beds
• Clothes
• Food

This list could go on much more.  But all these things and more I have had despite what has gone on in my life through trials.  And I'm ashamed to say I failed to see this list.  But I now see one important fact.  Like this artwork I've posted, Christ lifts us up through any trials we may encounter.  He is there for us in any storm.  He has unconditional love for each and every one of us no matter what we've done in life or how far we've strayed.  We just need to be willing to receive his love and help.  We need to be willing to change our lives, our attitudes, our habits, our character for good.  We need to be willing to grab hold of his hand so he can lift us up out of stormy waters.