in all things give thanks

As I decked my halls with my Christmas decor my thoughts were full of the things that I am grateful for. There are all the usual things like family, friends, health & the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are also the more remote things like indoor plumbing, flouride that made my teeth strong, post-it notes & carpeted floors. My heart even pondered the obvious but often over-looked blessings like clothes to wear, bed to sleep in & food to eat. But then my heart wanted to recognize the gifts that are hard to be grateful for. I use the term 'gift' loosely because these kinds of things when not handled with care only have heartache and anger to offer. These gifts come in strange packages and are often found in a corner unopened. These gifts are often referred to as trials.

Through all the pain we've experienced in our trial of infertility, I feel that I have still had a grateful heart for the things I have been blessed with. A supportive, giving husband! A wonderful son who made me a mother! The knowledge of Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice! All I have to do is look around and know I have been richly blessed. However, I have pondered over what is said in the following scripture for a long time now, "And they did admonish their brethren; and they were also admonished, every one by the word of God. . .being commanded of God to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all things." (Mosiah 26:38-39) We are to give thanks in all things! This does not say to give thanks for all the blessings we have, or to give thanks for our abundance. It says to give thanks in all things. To me this means even the hard things. Even trials. Even heart-wrenching bouts of adversity that show up in our lives. Even for that we should be grateful.

It is not an easy thing to do. Sometimes much time is required to be grateful for hard things because with hindsight we see those trials were necessary; we are able to see all the good that has come of it. We may even come to recognize that it was all part of a critical plan that Heavenly Father catered for us. My heart may not be fully ready to appreciate the 'gift' of infertility but I can say that I have been willing to open that gift and see what it has offered me. I have a more compassionate heart, especially for those who suffer similarly; I rely and trust more heavily on my Savior who frees me from the hurt; I try not to take for granted each day I have as a mother & I recognize the ways this trial has brought my husband and I together. For these things I am grateful and give thanks to a loving Heavenly Father who has not left me comfortless. This season the Comforter's birth is celebrated. Because of that miraculous Silent Night, I am able to hope for my own miracles & because of His life, one day I will give thanks when my own Sunday comes.