the hand of God

After months away from the blog, I’m uncertain on where to start. It’s not that I don’t have anything to write about– there’s TOO much to write about. I can’t remember a season in my life where I’ve learned so much in such a short amount of time. One of my friends gave the wise advice, “You won’t know what any of this meant for at least five years.” She’s right. Still, I’ll take some time here to puzzle it out; foolishly making my way in the dark.

Of everything I’ve learned this year (and the hardest lessons need to remain private), one truth shines bright: God is always watching over us: over me, over you, over every soul on earth. Nothing can separate from the love of God.

I’m convinced the key to a happiness lies in consistently noting the hand of God in our lives. Many of you are aware of the talk, O Remember, Remember, given by Henry B. Eyring in 2007 when he talked about his decades long habit of taking the time to write down how he saw the hand of God in his life– every single day.

President Eyring now has volumes filled with his daily experiences– most short and simple moments, some complex experiences– of how he felt the love of God in his life. For years, I’ve given kids in my Sunday School classes a notebook at Christmas and pleaded with them to start the habit. This year, I’ve been speaking in different congregations and I beg them to note the hand of God in their lives daily.

Lately, I’ve added this question, “Do you think Elder Eyring has these experiences every day because he’s Elder Eyring? Or do you think he’s Elder Eyring because he takes the time to notice the hand of God?” Clearly it’s the latter. Our actions and attitudes form our character. And for my friends who don’t know Elder Eyring: he’s a man without guile, filled with compassion and wisdom.

I recently met one of Henry Eyring’s grandsons who told me his grandpa sends out a text every night to his family telling them how he saw the hand of God in his life that day. I’m sure the family compiles these anecdotes into beautiful volumes which would be a pleasure for anyone to read.

For me, it’s enough to just notice, to scribble notes in the margins, scatter post-it notes on the floor, start journal after journal with the good intentions of keeping some sort of order. I’m not creating a keepsake or inspiring others, still I’m reshaping my heart into something kinder, more humble, more grateful and joyful.

This year, I’ve seen up close the sobering consequences when someone doesn’t appreciate God’s blessings and kicks them to pieces. It’s always easier to notice other’s mistakes, isn’t it? But I’ve asked myself over and over, when has God blessed me and I’ve responded with, “not good enough,” “not what I wanted,” “I need something different”?

I’m determined to notice the blessings right in front of me. I’m convinced God gives us exactly what we need; we’re just so often blind or think we know better.

And I don’t know better. But I trust in Lord.