Thanksgiving

"Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare." (Psalm 75:1)

I've thought a lot about Thanksgiving this month. What a unique opportunity we have to nationally give thanks to God for the blessings that surround us, and there are so many things that we have to be grateful for.

I know it seems more popular, in the media, to rather complain about practically everything than to give thanks, but I don't think the media reflects the heart of the nation. There is so much to be grateful for: health, family, our great measure of freedom, our general prosperity . . . and even in this economic climate our prosperity is great when compared to that of our grandparents and great-great-grandparents.

We live in an age of wonders, when we can keep in touch with friends and family with little to no effort. I count that one of the great blessings of the day.

We can trace these blessings back to their source; they are an extension of the good gifts that God has given us: our world, our lives, our family, our time, our natural gifts. All these things testify of Him.

Joy in the Journey

Sometimes it seems impossible, in the whir of everyday life, to find peace, a sense of center. There are so many pressures that at times it can seem almost claustrophobic:

• Pressure to earn a living.
• Pressure to achieve great things.
• Pressures of real family obligations.
• Pressure to meet imagined expectations of friends, family, teachers, mentors . . .

 . . . all those little voices in our head crying out for attention, saying, "Go here" or "Do this." On top of these we add the sea of media distractions; news of death, famine, plague, war, economic uncertainty are constantly at the forefront of our minds.

Some days it is hard to remember, in the midst of all this static, God created us for joy. In my day to day, there are, however, times I do remember and when I do, I pray. I sit down, close my eyes, breathe deep, calm down and open my heart to my maker. Then I ask Him for peace and sometimes I repeat the words of Christ in my mind, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Usually, I feel immediate relief from the anxieties that are troubling me. Reading the scriptures almost always has the same effect (unless there is something I really should be bothered about and need to fix).

I have, at times, been bold enough to ask God, "Please help me take joy in my work," and I have felt that joy as I undertook the endeavor, whatever it might be. Why don't I do this everyday? You would think I wouldn't forget, but I do. The key is remembering that God wants joy to be a part of our everyday and eternal life (Moses 1: 39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man). Don't be afraid to ask Him for it.

So when life seems like a whirlpool, remember his words, "Be still, and know that I am God." and take joy in the journey.

~M Taylor
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Related:
Free song, "Be still, and know that I am God" on LDS.org