2008 - A New Year

Last year, in lieu of New Year’s resolutions, we chose a word to focus on for the year. I liked that.

I’ve known for a while what I wanted my word to be for 2008.
Then it was kind of picked for me when our bishop chose it as a focus for our ward this year.

The word is - REMEMBER.

I’ve wanted for a long time to be better at remembering, to remember more often, more carefully, more profoundly.
The ironic thing is, I always forget.

I watched the funeral and other specials about President Gordon B. Hinckley, all the while remembering all the great things he did in his life, all his life, personally and for others.
How blessed we all are for having known him.
How much we saw the hand of God working in and through him.

During a break I read Henry B. Eyring’s General Conference talk, “O Remember, Remember”. Years ago he had an experience that taught him to ask himself every day, “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” And as he pondered and looked for those experiences, he saw things he never would have seen.
The inspiration that came to him was, “I’m not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down.”

Finally, in February (I’m getting a late start this year), I took time to ask myself that question, and look for the answers. And, oh, the things I saw that I would not have seen.
I’ve often heard talk of thankfulness, of gratitude journals and such, and know full well the benefits and blessings of counting your blessings, which none of us do enough.
But it seems a different thing to look specifically for the hand of God in your life.

How often in the scriptures are we admonished to remember, -- to remember what the Lord God hath done for the children of men, and for you.
It seems to be an antidote, for when we remember,
we are not inclined to murmur or complain,
nor to stray or wander,
nor to be derelict in our duties.

Every week we promise that we “will always remember Him,”
and in so doing we are promised that “will have His Spirit to be with us.”
That Spirit heals and heartens, lifts and leads, and brings us joy.
Why is it so hard to remember that simple, sacred combination?

I’m getting older. Remembering anything is hard to do, but….

To recognize and to remember the hand of God every day is my goal this year.

I hope I don’t forget.