I got so many inspirational messages in last night’s General Women’s Meeting from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I especially loved the addresses of Sister Marriott and President Uchtdorf. One thing he said stuck with me, and with many others I’m sure since a graphic depicting the message had already begun circulating only an hour or two after the talk.
President Uchtdorf said that sometimes we imagine that Heavenly Father has this store of blessings locked away with Him and that He will only send them down to us when we have done a list of certain things. But President Uchtdorf said this is not true. He said that Heavenly Father is constantly raining down blessings upon us but that we often block these blessings, not recognizing them, because of our own actions.
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| Image Credit: lds.org |
This made me think of a few things. First of all, it made me realize that Heavenly Father is indeed always trying and wanting to bless me. He loves me. Not just as one of billions of His children, but that He loves me uniquely and individually and really is interested in my happiness. He knows my name and everything else about me. He knows me better than I know myself and knows what blessings I need, not just the ones I may ask for.
Secondly, it made me think of all the blessings that I do receive but take for granted. In a video presentation during the same meeting I noticed a woman walking to her front door. Her door was made of just plywood, unpainted and unadorned. This scene pierced my heart because I thought of how often I have complained about my house being too small, not pretty enough, etc. I was humbled. I need to be content with the blessings Heavenly Father has already granted me.
Lastly, I began to think of what I am doing to block the blessings my Heavenly Father is so earnestly trying to give me. How is fear stopping me? What doubts are blocking the blessings? What sins are acting as an umbrella? These are deep questions and ones that I need to ponder for a long time to figure out. Deep questions require deep thought and meditation. Once the answers are unearthed, deep commitment is then required. This will be a long process for me, I am sure.
Are you holding up an umbrella?