Gratitude

In this week’s study I was able to listen to the words of one of my favorite speakers, Thomas S. Monson. He spoke of having an attitude of gratitude and the importance of it. He shared the lyrics of the favorite hymn Count Your Many Blessings.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings; name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

 

[Chorus]

Count your blessings;

Name them one by one.

Count your blessings;

See what God hath done.

Count your blessings;

Name them one by one.

Count your many blessings;

See what God hath done.

 

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by. [Chorus]

 

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.

Count your many blessings; money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven nor your home on high. [Chorus]

 

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged; God is over all.

Count your many blessings; angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end. [Chorus]

 

In the entrepreneurial journey I think it is so important to have an attitude of gratitude. Gratitude keeps things in perspective for me. For example, my husband and I have a small home with four children who have quickly shown me how small my home really is. We could go purchase a beautiful, large home that would fit our needs so much better, but then we would have a mortgage payment (we currently do not have a mortgage payment). We are feeling so confident that being out of debt is where the Lord wants us to be that we are managing with our small home. We have so much gratitude to have a home (especially after the fire came through so close to our home). I have been slowly making small improvements to make our small home more beautiful; plants in the flowerbeds, a new coat of paint (inside and out) and new furniture that actually matches. The fire helped me put a lot of things into perspective. Gratitude isn’t just to be grateful for the things around me but I must have gratitude for the Lord in all that I do. The journey with the Lord on my side is difficult. I can’t imagine trying to do it without the Lord.