Sister Bonnie D. Parkin
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"Gratitude is our sweet acknowledgement of the Lord's hands in our lives; it is an expression of our faith."
"Gratitude is a spirit-filled principle. It opens our minds to a universe permeated with the richness of a living God. Through it we become spiritually aware of the wonders of the smallest things, which gladden our hearts with their messages of God's love."
However, "Mercies and blessings come in different forms — sometimes as hard things. And yet, the Lord said, 'Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.' All things means just that: good things and difficult things — not just some things. He has commanded us to be grateful because he knows being grateful will make us happy. This is another evidence of his love.
"That kind of gratitude that receives even tribulations with thanksgiving requires a broken heart and contrite spirit; humility to accept that which we cannot change; willingness to turn everything over to the Lord — even when we do not understand; thankfulness for hidden opportunities yet to be revealed. Then comes a sense of peace."
"When was the last time you thanked the Lord for a trial or tribulation? Adversity compels us to go to our knees; does gratitude for adversity do that as well?"
