Blessings come in all shapes and forms. For instance, Truman and I got rear ended a few weeks back. No, we weren't hurt and neither was the other driver. My bumper was damaged slightly but you can't really tell unless you know about it. We exchanged information and this guy called me later that night to say his parents would rather pay me than use insurance. It ended up working out for the best. With that check, I was able to pay for school.
Now, I was really worried I wouldn't be able to pay for school before I got rear ended. I already had one job, but I decided to take another part time job with... Walmart. Which I affectionately call Barfmart. I wouldn't wish working at Walmart upon anyone. Worst job ever. My grades started to fall, I was never home, and I started to feel really low. This semester has already been my hardest, but this new job was just the final straw.
So I quit Walmart. Yesterday, actually. Yes, I did work Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Yes, it was crazy. No, I will never miss working for Barfmart. I do wish them continued success and they will continue to receive my patronage. But no, I will never work there ever again. I felt more respect from the junior high students whose bathrooms I cleaned. But since quitting, I have already felt more at peace. I guess I did receive blessings while working there. I never had to work on a Sunday. I worked Thanksgiving morning and was able to eat dinner and spend time with my family that night. I did work Black Friday but during the day, when it was slightly less crazy than the previous night.
So blessings might not be visible right when they happen. Truman said that when we got rear ended I exclaimed, "Why me?" We say these things more often than we think.
Why me?
That's not fair.
You would never let me do that.
Sometimes we can't see what is happening until the moment has passed. I'm guilty of playing the why me card and not opening my eyes to the blessings that surround me. Elder Clark of the Seventy said, "We need eyes to see more clearly the Savior working in our lives and ears to hear His voice more deeply in our hearts." By listening to the Holy Ghost, we will be lead down the path that allows us to listen to Christ's voice and truly hear His words. I also loved this testimony from Elder Clark. "Life may get hard, confusing, painful, and discouraging. I bear you my witness that through the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ will cut through the confusion, the pain, and the darkness. Whether it comes in a remarkable burst or in a gentle flow, that glorious spiritual power will infuse healing love and comfort into the repentant, wounded soul; dispel darkness with the light of truth; and cast out discouragement with hope in Christ. We will see these blessings come, and we will know by the witness of the Spirit that it is the Lord Jesus Christ working in our lives. Our burdens truly will be “swallowed up in the joy of [our Redeemer].”" The light of the gospel. I'm so grateful for this gospel. I know I wouldn't be me without it. I might not have always liked myself and the gospel, like I haven't always felt worthy of it. But nowadays, I feel much more confident in myself. I still don't understand everything, but that's okay. I'm being a good person and doing the right things. I know that if I keep on this path and keep improving, then everything will work out the way it needs to.
I guess to wrap this all up I just want to say that even though you might be going through some tough things right now, everybody is, the blessings are there. He wants to give them to us. We just have to have faith that everything will work out and when we can look back, I assure you that you will see the countless blessings that surround you. Keep yourself worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost and you will receive the blessings that you stand in need of.
Reading over this... Definitely sounds like a talk. Maybe I'm getting asked to speak soon. Ha. Guess we'll see.
