Late, But It's Okay

I was really late for my first class this morning because I woke up much later than normal. The class was a dance class, but still, attendance is important. But, I got myself ready and arrived in class about 15 minutes after it started. I am surrounded by hard-working, conscientious people on campus, and I also care about punctuality, so I often feel very frustrated in such circumstances.

But, the world didn't end. I just walked into the room and jumped right in to the rest of the class instruction. My day went on just fine. I am grateful that the world didn't end when I was late for class today. :)

An Encouraging Lyric

I'm involved in a local church choir, which rehearses on Sunday afternoons. We are singing an arrangement of a hymn that is very well-known among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The words were written by Bruce R. McConkie. As we rehearsed the song, I noticed something about one of the lines. It was tremendously hopeful. I, and millions of others in the world, have been singing this hymn for years and it wasn't until now that I noticed this.

The words are:

"And I shall live with joy and love in his eternal courts above."

This is similar to a verse near the end of the Book of Mormon: Moroni 7:41. I notice the certain conviction implied in the use of I shall and ye shall. I think there are too many people who are in doubt as to whether they will actually make it to heaven, whether they will ever measure up to the perfect standards set by Jesus Christ. More and more I am realizing that it is that very same perfect being that makes it possible for us to come home to God at all. God and Jesus Christ don't want us to live lives of worry and disappointment, They created us to have joy! It is possible for each of us to live with God and our loved ones again! Bruce R. McConkie believed that, and we should too.

I am grateful for an exceptionally hopeful and encouraging hymn lyric.

A Disciple's Tears

I was at a Church-related function today when I heard someone talk about Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for all mankind, especially the pains He went through for each one of us. As I watched the man standing in front of all of us, I realized he was tearing up. It was so touching. I realized I didn't share the same depth of emotion that he did about the Savior, and that led me to think more about my own testimony of Jesus Christ. From one follower, or disciple, of Christ to another, the love of God was shared.

I am grateful for that moment, seeing another follower of Jesus Christ express deep emotions about the only perfect man who lived on earth.

"If You're Nervous, Good!"

A high school teacher once said this, explaining that nervousness before an event or performance shows that you care about the outcome. A college graduate feeling apprehensive about a job interview, a high school thespian trembles before going on stage to begin a show, a couple (one of the lovers, or both) feels nervous as they take a step forward in a relationship. In any of these situations and many more, the person cares about what's going to result from their humble efforts. I am grateful for nervousness. Before many of the best things of my life occurred, I was nervous, but I stepped forward anyway and have been blessed in tremendous abundance.

The Support of Friends, Even When I Didn't Ask For Them

Worked on a paper tonight. I felt so tired I decided to take a 30-minute nap right there by the computer. My phone alarm went off 30 minutes later and I wake up to discover a friend of mine at the next computer over! That was a pleasant surprise! I saw several other friends walk by my computer station. I felt like I had the support I needed to make the tremendous progress I made on that paper tonight.

I am grateful to have been surrounded by friends while working on a challenging assignment.

Appreciated Work

This is a challenging week for me. It's the middle of the semester and things are piling up. Even so, sometimes it's hard for me to be motivated to do my best work. But today, I received a letter from my supervisor at work. The letter was about a nomination for a student employee award. I was speechless. I felt that I almost didn't deserve such recognition. But in the end, it motivated me to continue to be the best library assistant I could be. I didn't realize that the work I did was so appreciated.

Private appreciation, like a letter or a note, means more to me than public appreciation, like some sort of award. I am grateful to know my work is appreciated by my supervisor. It made my day and got me thinking more deeply about my career goals for after my college graduation.

Hens

I expressed gratitude for quails a little bit ago. Today I'm grateful for hens, for similar reasons. Walking to campus this evening, I saw a flock of eight hens on a suburban sidewalk. I have no idea where they came from, what they were doing there, or where they were going, but they brought a smile to my face. :)