Sunday, June 26, 2011

See What God Hath Done


I went to put something away in my basement this morning before running out the door to go to church and found a lot of water, all ice-cold and perky, ready to greet me (or my feet anyway) with a big wet kiss!  Luckily, we keep almost everything in plastic bins and off of the floor so nothing important was lost.  I just had to laugh and thank God for protecting my precious things from being ruined.  

It was the second indication in less than 24 hours that God is watching out for us.  

Last night, as we were returning from a fishing trip to the lake, we got a flat tire.  I counted this as a HUGE BLESSING, because it happened 1) while I was with Steve, 2) not far from our home, and 3) it didn't happen earlier this week while we were driving to or from Cleveland (a 5 hour trip with kids in tow!).

As Steve painstakingly changed our tire last night (using what he deemed a completely inadequate jack), I sat comfortably in the front seat, knitting Guy's new blankie, and I just reflected on what a blessing it all was.  And I felt completely awash with GRATITUDE to the Lord.  I felt calm, safe, and protected.

So to find a few inches of water in my basement this morning was just another ridiculously lovely sight, because it was just more proof to me that God exists, that he cares about us, and that he is involved in the intimate details of our lives.

I see these events as subtle reminders that we go from day to day by the grace of God.  I am pretty sure that if we knew how many accidents and troubles he and his angels have saved us from during the course of our day, we'd all fall to our knees and praise him -- and we'd live life a little fuller, a little happier, and a little more gratefully.

After picking up some wet boxes and such, I decided that more than anything I wanted to take the kids to church so that we could all take the sacrament today.  This was an act of gratitude to God that I did not want to miss doing...not today.  The basement would keep for an hour or so.  So that is what we did.

And of course, the rest hymn was "Count Your Many Blessings"...and the final hymn was "Scatter Sunshine".  (There was also an awesome talk on faith by my friend Kacie that I'm glad I didn't miss.)  I've highlighted some of the lyrics that touched me today.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
Refrain
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Refrain
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.





In a world where sorrow
Ever will be known,
Where are found the needy,
And the sad and lone;
How much joy and comfort
You can all bestow,
If you scatter sunshine
Everywhere you go.


Refrain

Scatter sunshine all along your way;
Cheer and bless and brighten
Every passing day;
Scatter sunshine all along your way;
Cheer and bless and brighten
Every passing day.

Slightest actions often
Meet the sorest needs,
For the world wants daily
Little kindly deeds;
Oh, what care and sorrow
You may help remove,
With your songs and courage,
Sympathy and love.


Refrain


When the days are gloomy,
Sing some happy song;
Meet the world’s repining
With a courage strong;
Go with faith undaunted
Thro’ the ills of life;
Scatter smiles and sunshine
O’er its toil and strife.


Despite a breakdown over the loss of blankie a few days ago, and a flooded basement, and a flat tire...the burden we are asked to bear is not heavy or hard to carry.  Calling it a burden is really an exaggeration, especially compared to what trials we could be facing.

Right now, a friend of mine, actually an entire family of friends of mine is standing by waiting for their mother, the great matriarch of their family, to pass from this life to the next.  Their cross must be unbearable, even with the great faith that they have.  This will be a supreme loss for them.

So, while my husband is downstairs shopvacing our basement floor, I am counting my blessings...and baking bread and cookies and dinner to take over to this family.  Because we have been blessed...and for today, we have been spared, and because I love them, and because it is what they would do--and have done-- for me in my hour of need.

Who can you help today? Who's burden can you share?  What trial can you look to with gladness?  Walk with confidence knowing that God is truly over all.


13 comments:

  1. A Member of this same family. Bought a meal to Me the other day . and shared with me her news of her Mother. When she left I cried. Her she was dealing with this sad time in her life., and serving another. I was overwhelmed with her love for others.
    I too am counting me blessings as no matter what trail we have. Someone is always dealing with something worse. Not that our trials aren't really bad for us at the time. But heavenly Father sometimes just is trying to teach us something through the trial.

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  2. i know that flooded basement feeling. Am so sorry.

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  3. "I see these events as subtle reminders that we go from day to day by the grace of God. I am pretty sure that if we knew how many accidents and troubles he and his angels have saved us from during the course of our day, we'd all fall to our knees and praise him -- and we'd live life a little fuller, a little happier, and a little more gratefully."

    Beautifully put and worthy of quoting. Thanks.

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  4. One of my favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." coupled with D&C 59:7, "Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things." really help me to remember that I must be grateful even in the midst of trials or burdens and to thank the Lord for them as they help me to truly grow.

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  5. I love love love your attitude! Our ward boundaries got all changed around in our stake over the past couple of weeks so I've been thinking on ways to get to know all our new ward members, and it looks like its going to be really fun! Change is good. It means growth! Trials, big and small, mean growth also. If we can just see them in the best light we can, hard as that may be sometimes, we'll grow long and strong. And now I'll pass through the rest of my day singing "Scatter Sunshine". :-)

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  6. a great attitude, it will get you far as life continues with its unexpected blessings...lol!

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  7. Talk about equanimity in the face of challenges! Your flooded basement floor attitude surpasses mine, I'm afraid.

    But your attitude is definitely inspirational.

    =)

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  8. Love your thoughts. I posted a similar thought, about being grateful even during trials, but I didn't do it while having a flooded basement! So glad everything was safe from the water and glad you were safe with you all during the flat tire near home.

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  10. This reminds me of when my husband was gone last month for a month long training and our car broke down about a 1/2 mile from home. I was SO grateful that we weren't very far from home, that I had a stroller in the trunk so I could walk my kids home and that we had fabulous friends in the war who helped me watch the kids and tow the car. I was so, so grateful and felt like the situation could have been so much worse if it wasn't for good friends.
    Anyway, thank you for highlighting those lines in the songs and I wish your friend and her family much comfort during this time.
    luv ya, CK

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  11. You amaze me.

    When I sing many of our hymns (0r even read them) I am often touched deeply by the spirit. We are incredibly lucky to have such inspired hymns. (now if only I could see through my tears to sing them!)

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  12. You inspire me in so many ways. Thank you for posting this! :)

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  13. You are awesome. Never stop blogging, okay? :)

    My husband and I have looked back over our life together and realized that some of our biggest blessings are the things that we were either oblivious to at the time or the things that we were incredibly frustrated with at the time. We are so grateful that we follow God's plan instead of Him following ours because we'd be a MESS!

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