This afternoon I received an unexpected email from Hubby while he was at work with the subject line "Being thankful today". In it he shared with me the top 5 things that he is thankful for today. Then he asked me, "What 5 things are you thankful for today?"
The spontaneous exercise of taking time to think of 5 things, write them down, and send them off to him in response to his email was just what I needed this afternoon (Hubby has an intuitive way of knowing things like that).
As I've continued on with my afternoon with this new underlayment of thankfulness in my heart, I'm reminded of one of my favorite quotes:
"Meekness implies a spirit of gratitude as opposed to an attitude of self-sufficiency, an acknowledgment of a great power beyond oneself, a recognition of God..."
~ Gordon B. HinckleyI think in the Western world we often mistake meekness for weakness or being a wimp. But when viewed as a spirit of gratitude, meekness is strong and empowering.
This last Sunday, our church choir sang a song called "Consider the Lilies". It's been running through my head ever since they sang it, and I've been enriched by it significantly. The words are powerful:
Consider the lilies of the field
How they grow, how they grow
Consider the birds in the sky,
How they fly, how they fly.
He clothes the lilies of the field.
He feeds the birds in the sky.
And He will feed those who trust Him,
And guide them with His eye.
Consider the sheep of his fold,
How they follow where He leads.
Though the path may wind across the mountains,
He knows the meadows where they feed.
He clothes the lilies of the field.
He feeds the birds in the sky.
And He will feed those who trust Him,
And guide them with His eye.
Consider the sweet, tender children
Who must suffer on this earth...
The pains of all of them He carried
From the day of His birth.
He clothes the lilies of the field,I need to be as meek as the lilies, other flowers, the birds in the sky and all the creatures of the earth made by His hand, so I can be guided as they are. Thankfully, Hubby reminded me of that important truth today.
He feeds the lambs in His fold,
And He will heal those who trust Him,
And make their hearts as gold.
If you'd like to hear the best performance of this song, here it is:
This has always been one of my favorite hymns. I've sung it with the ward choir... but the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and AF Band? What an outstanding combination.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this happy thought today.
Hugs and love,
YFA
It's amazing how simply shifting one's gaze off one's navel and lifting it up to the heavens can bring about such a positive change. Counting my blessings has been the best habit I have ever instilled in my life. Seems we're both blessed with awesome husbands. *smile*
ReplyDeleteI love the good people in our lives who keep us moving forward! Thanks for being one for me cute cousin. Sure love you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this Cindy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet husband you have.
In our busy and absorbed lives it is good to remember how blessed we are even in difficult times.
I have songs running through my head quite often.
Two from Tabitha's wedding, "This is the day that the Lord has made" and "God is Love" from the greatest commandment.
Cindy,
ReplyDeleteYour sincere post has touched my heart today.
I've read the verse in the Bible "Consider the lilies of the field..." but I have never heard the song. I am going to try to find a copy of this song and sing it with my daughter. The beautiful message is just too powerful to not pass on.
Thank you so much for this post.
Mandy