Recognize and Remember God's Kindness

When our children were very small, I started to write down a few things about what happened every day. Let me tell you how that got started. I came home late from a Church assignment. It was after dark. My father-in-law, who lived near us, surprised me as I walked toward the front door of my house. He was carrying a load of pipes over his shoulder, walking very fast and dressed in his work clothes. I knew that he had been building a system to pump water from a stream below us up to our property.

He smiled, spoke softly, and then rushed past me into the darkness to go on with his work. I took a few steps toward the house, thinking of what he was doing for us, and just as I got to the door, I heard in my mind—not in my own voice—these words: “I’m not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down.”

I went inside. I didn’t go to bed. Although I was tired, I took out some paper and began to write. And as I did, I understood the message I had heard in my mind. I was supposed to record for my children to read, someday in the future, how I had seen the hand of God blessing our family. Grandpa didn’t have to do what he was doing for us. He could have had someone else do it or not have done it at all. But he was serving us, his family, in the way covenant disciples of Jesus Christ always do. I knew that was true. And so I wrote it down, so that my children could have the memory someday when they would need it.

I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.

More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened.

The years have gone by. My boys are grown men. And now and then one of them will surprise me by saying, “Dad, I was reading in my copy of the journal about when …” and then he will tell me about how reading of what happened long ago helped him notice something God had done in his day.

My point is to urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness. It will build our testimonies. You may not keep a journal. You may not share whatever record you keep with those you love and serve. But you and they will be blessed as you remember what the Lord has done. You remember that song we sometimes sing: “Count your many blessings; name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”² Henry B. Eyring, “O Remember, Remember,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 66–69;

I was reminded up this talk by our Laurel adviser the other day when she referred to it in our Sunday YW lesson. First off, can I say how grateful I am that I have this lady in my life. It is so nice to have someone else to work closely with as I serve the Young Women. I am also so grateful for her insight and the ability to teach lessons in a way that sticks with you. 

I have found myself thinking a lot about this line, from Pres. Eyring's talk My point is to urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness. There are a variety of ways I can do this. One way is this blog. I had intended on doing a different post everyday but life hasn't allowed me to do this. So here is the condensed version of some things lately I have wanted to express gratitude for.

First off, is a big THANK YOU for all the support we have received from so many in regards to my husbands employment. Thanks for your comments on here and facebook. The emails and phone calls. The hugs. Passing on job listings. Asking for resumes. Talking with friends in the engineering world on our behalf. Personal recommendations. It all means so much!

The Temple. What a blessing to have one close that we can attend often. What a special work is done within the walls of this holy place that have eternal consequences. There truly are some amazing blessings that our given to us if we keep our covenants. Blessings that help in day to day life as well as after we die. I was reminded of this, this past week as we attended the endowment and sealing of a couple that my husband has worked with when he was bishop. After years of patiently waiting, by the wife, this couple was able to go through for themselves and be sealed together on their 48 year anniversary.

The counsel to stay out of debt, save money and have food storage. My father is currently serving as a bishop. The other day he shared he had a couple that had been out of work for two days and were now needing to come to him for help.  I am grateful that the Lords has provided a way for those in need to have someplace to go. I am also so grateful that over the years we have heeded counsel so we are not needing that help at this time. What a peace it has been at this time of our life to know that we can still be self reliant as we face this trial in our life.