Taylor Darcy.com

So when a member of the Bishopric called me and asked to speak on gratitude, I responded enthusiastically. I think he was slightly surprised at my willingness to speak. The truth of it is, as most people can tell by my blog that I love to speak. I don’t know if it is some masochistic part of me that loves the torture of being in front of an audience but I truly enjoy public speaking. I found acting in school amazingly fulfilling. That isn’t to say that I am good at it but I do enjoy it. He asked me speak on gratitude so to start off my thoughts I decided to post a blog about it. For some reason I seem to think better when I am blogging than when I am just staring at a blank screen. It is kind of weird I know but no one could ever accuse me of being normal (thankfully I might add).

I started my research for the topic and came across some fairly interesting things already; of course the scriptures reference the lepers that were healed as well of a few well known parables. I would like to take a deeper look from simply an introspective view of gratitude. I believe gratitude is the basis for all happiness. If we are grateful then we will say “please” and “thank you” in our interactions with others. If we are grateful then giving service will be a part of our lives not just something that we do out of obligation. If we are grateful then we will pray just a little longer thanking our Heavenly Father for everything we have. If we are grateful then we will honestly seek to love others even as Christ loves us. It reminds me of the church hymn “Because I Have Been Given Much”.

“Because I have been given much I too must give;    

Because of thy great bounty Lord each day I live

I shall divide my gifts from thee with every brother that I see

Who has the need of help from me.”

 

“Because I have been sheltered fed by thy good care,

I cannot see another’s lack and I not share

My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, My roof’s safe shelter over-head,

That he too may be comforted.”

 

“Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord,

I’ll share thy love again, according to thy word.

I shall give love to those in need; I’ll show that love by word and deed:

Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.”

(Hymn 219, “Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints”)

 

The truest nature of gratitude is an action. The dictionary characterizes gratitude as: “appreciation, or thankfulness, is an emotion, which involves a feeling of emotional indebtedness towards another person; often accompanied by a desire to thank them or to reciprocate for a favor they have done for you. In a religious context, gratitude can also refer to a feeling of indebtedness towards a deity, e.g. the expression of gratitude to God is a central theme of Christianity.” I believe that true gratitude transcends our selfish nature and guides to living the higher law. Most importantly I believe that gratitude is a choice. Whether life is difficult or easy true gratitude gives us the ability to look beyond the here and now appreciating the trials in our lives and seeing them for they truly are: an opportunity to grow. But it is our choice on how we react to the adverse circumstances of our lives. Often times the things that happen to us are the things that we have no control over. It is our choice to learn and grow from these circumstances and being grateful for the experience is part of that process. We rob ourselves of a great deal of joy in life when we “murmur” or complain about that which we cannot change. Even in the direst of circumstances can we find the peace and love that the Savior has to offer and this is certainly worth being grateful for? In these brief moments of sorrow and or pain we can truly come to know the Savior of the world who bore our every sin. Our relationship is strengthened through that pain and is worth being appreciative of. In these quiet moments of sorrow can we be grateful for the atonement that gives us hope and most importantly peace. When in this plain of sorrow the glimpse of what the Savior endured helps us that we might understand ourselves and others better, this too is worthy of our gratitude.

President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints related the following story in the September 2005 edition of the Ensign (for the full story click here):

“One hot August day some years ago, there occurred a tragedy in Salt Lake County. It was reported in the local and national press. Five beautiful little girls—so young, so vibrant, so loving—hiding away, as children often do in their games of hide-and-seek, entered the trunk of a parent’s car. The trunk lid was pulled shut, they were unable to escape, and all perished from heat exhaustion.

The entire community was so kind, so thoughtful, so caring in the passing of those five little girls. Flowers, food, calls, visits, and prayers were shared with their families.

On the Sunday after the devastating event occurred, long lines of automobiles filled with grieving occupants drove ever so slowly past the home that was the scene of the accident. Sister Monson and I wished to be among those who expressed condolences in this way. As we drove by, we felt we were on holy ground. We literally crept along at a snail’s pace along the street. It was as though we could visualize a traffic sign reading, “Please drive slowly; children at play.” Tears filled our eyes and compassion flowed from our hearts. In two of the three families involved, the deceased children were all the children they had.

Frequently death comes as an intruder. It is an enemy that suddenly appears in the midst of life’s feast, putting out its lights and gaiety. It visits the aged as they walk on faltering feet. Its summons is heard by those who have scarcely reached midway in life’s journey, and often it hushes the laughter of little children.

At the funeral services for the five little angels, I counseled: “There is one phrase which should be erased from your thinking and from the words you speak aloud. It is the phrase ‘If only.’ It is counterproductive and is not conducive to the spirit of healing and of peace. Rather, recall the words of Proverbs: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ 16″

Before the closing of the caskets, I noted that each child held a favorite toy, a soft gift to cuddle. I reflected on the words of the poet Eugene Field:

The little toy dog is covered with dust,

But sturdy and staunch he stands;

And the little toy soldier is red with rust,

And his musket moulds in his hands.

 

Time was when the little toy dog was new,

And the soldier was passing fair,

And that was the time when our Little Boy Blue

Kissed them and put them there.

 

“Now, don’t you go till I come,” he said,

“And don’t you make any noise!”

So toddling off to his trundle-bed

He dreamt of the pretty toys.

 

And, as he was dreaming, an angel song

Awakened our Little Boy Blue,—

Oh! the years are many, the years are long,

But the little toy friends are true!

 

Ay, faithful to Little Boy Blue they stand,

Each in the same old place,

Awaiting the touch of a little hand,

The smile of a little face.

 

And they wonder, as waiting the long years through,

In the dust of that little chair,

What has become of our Little Boy Blue

Since he kissed them and put them there.

(“Little Boy Blue,” in Jack M. Lyon and others, eds., Best-Loved Poems of the LDS People (1996), 50.)

 

The little toy dog and the soldier fair may wonder, but God in His infinite mercy has not left grieving loved ones to wonder. He has provided truth. He will inspire an upward reach, and His outstretched arms will embrace you. Jesus promises to one and all who grieve, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:18)

There is only one source of true peace. I am certain that the Lord, who notes the fall of a sparrow, looks with compassion upon those who have been called upon to part—even temporarily—from their precious children. The gifts of healing and of peace are desperately needed, and Jesus, through His Atonement, has provided them for one and all.”

I leave you my witness that it is through gratitude that sorrow can be turned to peace and pain to joy. May each one of you choose this day to be a little more grateful that you may find the peace that only the gospel of Jesus Christ can offer you.

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