In Sickness and in Health

Since Tuesday I have been ill.  It began in the early morning hours.  (Isn't that how it always is!)  Initially I thought it was because I'd been up late typing in my journal, and snacked on some fresh garden peas and raspberries, that my friend let me pick from her garden! :)  I soon realized that those stomach spasms weren't a "stomach ache" from eating too late.  In fact, I had acquired a stomach bug!

I've been blessed so very  very much over the last 2 years with good health that I could only express gratitude that I'd been blessed with such health, and that this opportunity was allowing me to refine my understanding of empathy towards others.  I never want to forget what so many people experience, or what I have in my life experiences, just because I am in a time of amazing health and energy.

So, there I was.  2 long days of staying mostly in bed or visiting my friendly neighborhood potty.  Wishing I could finish installing the quarter round, or finishing up the last wall of painting, or eat a bit of anything without terrible spasms.  But no, I lay in bed sleeping and moaning instead.  (And how dare my husband suggest that I'm a bigger baby than him when I am sick! ;)

I was worried that today I wouldn't be able to attend my husbands performance at a local re-enactment center.  I didn't even plan ahead to go.  But 5 minutes before we needed to leave (with all 5 of our children) I realized I'd been given a blessing of health again.  I truly rose from my bed of affliction, and walked.  I spent the whole day walking in fact.  Taking my children on pony rides, making pioneer hankerchief dolls, playing stick games, exploring pioneer houses, riding the miniature train, and enjoying many other activities.  In fact, it was a hot day, but all I could do was frequently express my heart felt joy and gratitude at being able to be there with my children, and enjoying the blessing to make memories with them.

When I came home I got down on my knees in the cool and quiet of my room and thanked Heavenly Father for giving me such a blessing of a wonderful day, that I would have missed out on.  And, I should also mention that 3 of my 5 children had started feeling sick like me all day yesterday.  So the mere fact that they woke up in perfect health, says a lot as well.

As I got up from praying, the LDS Primary song, "Can A Little Child Like Me" played into my thoughts....


1. Can a little child like me
Thank the Father fittingly?
Yes, oh yes! Be good and true,
Patient, kind in all you do!
Love the Lord and do your part;
Learn to say with all your heart:

Father, we thank thee!
Father, we thank thee!
Father in Heaven, we thank thee!

2. For the fruit upon the tree,
For the birds that sing of thee,
For the sunshine warm and bright,
For the day and for the night,
For the joyful work and true
That a little child may do,

Father, we thank thee!
Father, we thank thee!
Father in Heaven, we thank thee!

Words: Mary M. Dodge, about 1831-1905
Music: W. K. Bassford, 1839-1902

You can listen to the melody of the song here: https://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/can-a-little-child-like-me?lang=eng

Part of the secret of my happiness in life is that I've learned how to have a heart filled with gratitude.  I used to feel sorry for myself, and didn't focus as well on what I had.  I tried, but I fell short, because I spent too much time being self-absorbed.  Everything in my world is better because I try to keep a constant prayer of Gratitude to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for my many blessings and opportunities.  Gratitude is the key to not only happiness, but love, and the sweet blessings and assurances that come from the Holy Ghost.

It takes work to be grateful. I remember improving this skill when I was in college and I started keeping a gratitude journal after watching something about it on the Oprah show.  That was a turning point for me.  Initially it was hard work, because I hadn't developed the skill of focusing on my blessings.  Someday's my 5 things were hard to come up with, and I didn't "feel" the real meaning behind my words.  I wrote simple things like "I'm thankful for hands that can write."  "I'm thankful for the good food I had to eat at lunch"  But as time progressed, I learned to see with clearer truth all that I had, and I started writing little experiences about my day.  Such as the day that a church member gave me a bag of oranges, and how thankful I was because we were very poor and didn't have money for such things.

Pray to be grateful, and look for every opportunity to be grateful.  Even if it's just about the basics of like like, "I have a bed to sleep in" or "I have clothes to wear."  Your words may not feel very sincere to you, because (like me) you may take those things for granted, but soon enough through diligence and prayer, you will feel the power of those words!

Psalm 100:4

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: 

be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.

I know we can each take steps toward being grateful in all things.  I know it will bless and improve our outlook on life!
Christine

P.S.  I'll try to add photos of my day soon. But my laptop is broken :P