To be thankful

All I have to do is look at my Instagram posts or my blog posts through the years to remember what I am thankful for and feel immense joy to have the life that I am living. And then there are the million other things in between.

Today a few things that are on my mind:

I am thankful for the spirit which whispers to me simple ways to improve. If anyone but the Spirit told me to change, I fear I am too proud. And the words of the Spirit seem to stay with me longer so that I can remember to change. For example, we all have parenting struggles (at least I sure hope we do and I am not alone!). As I was having a particular rough day with one of my children, I wanted nothing but to have space and run errands by myself after dinner. But as I sat at the dinner table facing my inner turmoil, I remember something the spirit whispered to me not too long before as I had pondered and prayed how to be a better mother to this particular child, "spend 15 minutes with her". So I invited her along to run errands with me. Nothing fun but we walked, held hands and talked. It is something I need to remember everyday.

I am thankful for the opportunity to see tithing as sacrifice. So many times I pay it and think nothing of it. But as I have found myself wanting more and feeling like it was something out of our budget, the thought came, "Man, if we didn't pay tithing we could afford it." A scary temptation. However, it is a sacrifice that has and will continue to bring the blessings of heaven.  Yesterday, I listened to a talk "Becoming a Disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ" by Elder Hales from 2017. He said people practiced what he called "selective obedience" and the line that stuck out to me "They gave alms to the poor but offered only heir excess--what they did not need for themselves." I don't know this sacrifice. I don't know how to give what I don't need. Anyway, I'm glad I could see an opportunity of a way I can and have sacrificed as I learn to give more freely.

I am thankful for life. I feel that I am recognizing the mortality of the people around me. A sister in my ward was diagnosed with cancer-She has an amazing fighting spirit. A brother in my ward passed away last night- GG was there in the hospital with their family. A few days ago, they probably had no idea anything big was going to happen. Facebook fills my feed with the struggles of my friends. At stake conference last week, I looked around and saw a number of gray haired and older people.  I realized these were my friends parents. Another generation is raising up and another moving to another season of life. I'm in the middle right now but it won't be long before I am that older generation. How does time and life seem to slip by like a dream?

I am thankful for my ability to exercise. I love it. It feels good to be stronger. It feels good to do something I don't think I can or even want to in the moment. It is wonderful practice for life.

I am thankful for food. I am thankful for comfort, security, love and belonging.

I am thankful for 4 children who call me mom.

I am thankful for a wonderful, devoted and serving husband.

I am thankful for my upbringing and the sacrifices my parents had to raise a family. They gave up a lot to have as many children as they did.

I am thankful so many things. It's easy to feel thankful. The real test is to BE thankful, to act thankful. To be so thankful, that I would give even in my want.

Happy Thanksgiving!