A few of years ago I did something that changed my life dramatically. I purposefully searched for joy or the hand of God in my life, daily. I also wrote what I found in my journal. When I began this challenge, I was seeking for joy in my life. What did joy look like? How did joy feel? I really had no idea but I had hope that I could find out.
Adam fell that men might be: and men are, that they might have joy.
2 Nephi 2:25
At first, I really had to search for the hand of God each day. It was simple things like a bird singing or the smile from a friend or family member. But as the days and months passed, and I was consistent with my search, I could see His hand in every detail of my daily life. I began to hear His voice. I was feeling joy, and how wonderful that felt!
I could see His hand in every detail of my daily life
I recognized that even in the challenges and heartaches of life, He was blessing me and mentoring me through those difficulties. Each challenge was actually growing me. Each heartache was helping me hear His voice a bit clearer. Not only was His hand in the challenges but He was also orchestrating miracles and tender mercies. I saw my family and friends differently. They are also loved and cherished by a wonderful Father in Heaven. My heart and mind were expanded to see that I had SO many who loved and cared for me on both sides of the veil. I have a Heavenly Mother, a Savior who is also my beloved brother – Jesus Christ. A literal army of angels who fight for me and with me against our common enemy.
My next question was, “were the blessings there are along but I couldn’t always see them or were the blessings magnified because I noticed them?” I think the latter. He was always blessing me but the more grateful I was for His blessings, the more blessings he poured down upon me.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Malachi 3:10
Tithing is a form of gratitude. This scripture illustrates a truth about our Father in Heaven. While He gives us everything, He asks only a small portion. When we give that small portion, He pours out His blessings to us. I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and for His hand in my life.
Challenge:
- Begin noticing the Hand of God or something joyful, purposefully, every day.
- Write down what you noticed and any impressions that go along with it.
Permission to Love 