
Amazing Grace

“We can choose to be grateful, no matter what.” ~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Gratefulness and thankfulness go hand in hand. Truly being thankful for the last year, with its blessings and setbacks, seems to be missing for so many people I know. The last year may have had its trials – moments when things just seemed to be going wrong. But the Lord sends trials and difficulties to us to make us grow. For me at least, the last year wasn’t all bad. It had its discouragements, to be sure, but it also had its joys, and I am thankful for the time that God allowed me last year – whether it seemed pleasant at the time or not. Throughout everyday life, we have a choice.. either squander the time given us and then complain about how badly things went, or else use it to the best of our ability to grow. The latter choice reflects a level of maturity that seems to be sorely lacking in society today.
People go about everyday life thinking that whatever befalls them is “just life”; that they have no choice in the matter and that whatever the calamity was would have happened anyway. This attitude is carried through into the choices that they make. Assuming that bad things will happen anyway, leaving things to chance, and not really wanting to do the things they must do, spoils their fun and steals their joy.
However, you choose how to do your “have-to’s”. You can march through life with heavy steps and a frustrated heart, or you can perform all of the necessities in life with patience, love, and joy.
Do you have work to do? Chores that you have put off for far too long? Tiresome activities that bore you? Duties that you dread? Are you just going through the motions with your day-to-day obligations? That is no way to live! Do what you have to do with all your might. Do it to the best of your ability. Do it with energy and determination. Do it with patience, love, and joy. Do it to the glory of God.
“Rise up, take courage, and do it.” ~ Ezra 10:4