Me Thinks--Restaurants

I've been thinking about restaurants. If you know, you know my favorite thing to do in the entire world is to go out to eat. I love all the choices on the menu, the way your drink keeps appearing, the appetizers, the entrees, the delicious desserts we usually split so I don't feel too guilty. I love being served by a good waiter. My idea of fun: someone catering to my every need. We always make sure to leave a good tip and thank our waiter/waitress, but without giving it much thought.

I think, however, that sometimes I approach my prayers like heavenly blessings are a good restaurant's menu. "I'd like the new house with a side of new car, please." Oh, and to get it, I'll try thanking you politely, but with little "real intent." Just because I'm supposed to show gratitude, but if my blessing doesn't show up on my timetable, no tip. What an attitude! No wonder my Wise Creator has not seen fit to bless me with lots of material goods. I wouldn't give my kids a piece of candy with an attitude like that!

I've also been thinking a lot about a talk we were given in church last Sunday. In her talk, this sister (whose name escapes me) told the story of a long move with a toddler, in which she was alone with her toddler in his car seat the whole trip. I can so relate to this! The toddler was not happy about being confined to his car seat. I can also relate to that. He just didn't understand and kept begging his mom with all his energy and quite loudly to be let out of his seat. And she, being older/wiser and seeing a larger picture, had to keep refusing his requests, because it would not be in his best interest to roam freely in a moving car. The parallels in our own life our clear. How much more does a loving Heavenly Father take care of us! How much more does he want the best thing for us, even as we don't understand! He is so patient with us.

So, I'm slowly learning to appreciate NOT having blessings. I'm learning to give thanks to the Lord that we don't have a house yet, that we "only" have one car, because He knows me. He knows what will be best for my growth. I'm learning to turn my life to Him and trust in his plan for me. The scriptures say,

"Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks;
2 Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.
3 Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord." (D&C 98:1-3)

I'm working on giving thanks for everything, even getting up to feed Aubriana in the night, even the inconveniences of having only one car and no yard, even for my trials and for the bad things that have happened to me. When I can be grateful for those things, it's even easier to appreciate the wonderful things that surround me.

I've started a new blog: Come follow my crafting adventures on my new blog. Find me at: creativeirony.com.