Gratitude

I teach 3rd Sundays in Relief Society (it's that thing where all the ladies get together and talk for an hour during church).  The last year and a half we have been teaching out of this (which is a pretty good way to learn about what members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believe... is there a hyphen in our church name? I should probably know that).  The lesson last Sunday was on "Tithes and Offerings" which I am sure many women in my class were relieved about.   I have over the last couple of months put my students through the ringer and challenged them in serious ways, but that is for another post (no promises, although more likely upon request.)

As I thought of all the ways in which I personally can give offerings I felt so extremely grateful for all the blessings that I have.  Now, before you start thinking that I think I am blessed because I am so righteous, I deserve it or what have you, let me lay down a little of what I believe:

I firmly believe in this principle found in Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21
       20 There is a ^alaw, irrevocably decreed in ^bheaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all ^cblessings are predicated—

       21And when we obtain any ^ablessing from God, it is by ^bobedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

(this would seem to support my thinking of what you might think I think about myself...)

However, I just as strongly believe as Christ said in Matthew:

      45 That ye ^amay be the ^bchildren of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth ^crain on the just and on the unjust.

Now, maybe you are confused.  As terribly confused as I used to be, and sometimes still am.  While I hold no keys to the answers to your confusing questions I do know one thing, blessings come from God and sometimes those blessings are disguised as trials.

But I digress, on to what I initially wanted to share.  As simple as these things may seem, I feel so grateful and blessed to have:

• A roof over my head, no matter the shape or size. No matter if it's mine or someone else's. A shelter from cold and heat from rain and wind.
• Food to eat, daily, and not just at designated meal times.  
• Clothes to wear, even if they are last season's (or more) old.
• A healthy body that usually does what I tell it to.
• A sound mind though some may question it's soundness.
• A best friend that I can talk to about anything, he also happens to be my husband so that is double blessings.
• A healthy, rambunctious, loving, and thriving 2 year old who challenges me to love more, to problem solve and to take life slow, enjoy the little things.
• A dog who... I find it impossible to put into words.  He just is
• The time, means and ability to study the gospel of Jesus Christ and learn more about my Savior.

There are many other things that I am grateful for, some more personal, some might seem silly.  All-in-all I could list all day and still not be done.

Share with me, what are you grateful for?
Do you ever struggle with trying to "obey" yourself into meriting a specific blessing?