I want to send a special thank you for all the prayers and sweet comments last week. (I had one nasty virus 🤮😳) But….especially to one in particular…my wonderful husband! He took me to the ocean this week to listen to the waves, feel the sun on my face, and simply… rest. Steve was adamant I finish healing from any leftover effects I might have from my illness and take a serious pause. The ocean has always been healing for me, and no one knows that better than my Stephen.🥰 It was pure joy to relax, read a few books, take naps, and eat wonderful nutritious meals! But always ending each day with a bit of ice cream🤭 You just gotta do it!😂 And I feel so much better!!
While we were there, I was able to concentrate on what matters most. My greatest joys come from family, wonderful friendships, and service to others. My eternal sweetheart knows it’s essential for me to quiet my thoughts amen ponder my blessings. When I do, I feel such gratitude! Developing this skill has helped me throughout my life, especially when things become very difficult. As I carefully chose my thoughts, I reminded myself that negativity does NOT come from our loving Father. I would never demean my children, so why would our Father in Heaven? He just wouldn’t! This begs the question. “Why do we allow negativity to fill and clutter our minds when we can choose to be positive?” In our dark moments of fear and doubt, God reminds us we can overcome the world through the power of His Son’s atonement. When we ask to be lifted, directed, and find the courage, it is the first step toward distilling doubt.
Then choosing to be positive in all situations is not only possible but will be the start of becoming who we are.
We really do have a choice. Simple but true! My sweet mother exemplified this behavior throughout her life. I never saw anything beat her down… Her choice was always to be positive! Sometimes, as a teenager, her constant “glass half full” attitude really bugged me because I thought constant positivity was just being naïve. I felt like it wasn’t real, but time has shown me, boy was I so wrong! To this day, I know one of the most important lessons she taught me was choosing to be happy. It is also one of the most important attributes of the Savior. I know emulating my angel mother and her choice to be happy has made a huge impact throughout my life. She’d say, “Marie, if you take the word FAITH down to its least common denominator, it equals having a POSITIVE ATTITUDE. (She loved math😂), And she was right!
During my reading this week, I ran across this quote. It inspired me and led to this Sunday’s message.
“Our thoughts are a sure indication of the quality of our heart, which largely determines our happiness in life. The Lords said, ‘For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also’ (Matthew 6:21). The treasure of our heart can make beauty out of ashes, sweet assurance out of heartache, and joy out of sorrow. At times, it would be easy to give in to cynicism and bleak outlook. In reality, however, though physical comfort might be taken from us or worldly possessions lost, no one can rob us of good cheer. Our happiness is not stolen; it is given away, surrendered to situations that seem to demand that we yield our contentment and stop being happy. How valuable the knowledge that regardless of the challenges of mortality, we are loved by a God whose confidence in us never ceases. Happiness and thanksgiving are hard to dislodge from the heart of a person who knows that he is truly a child of God.” (Lloyd Newell and Robert Millet)
This quote above is packed with thoughts to ponder.🥰 (Our happiness is not stolen; it is given away - I love that!!!) So today, I thought I’d keep my message short, so maybe you could find a quiet moment to ponder the things you’re thankful for. Remember, the Savior always lived a life of positive outreach. His kingdom is one of uplifting thoughts and joyful connections. May we all strive to see that positivity is a choice that leads us to eternal happiness and joy. I love you all very much!
#Sundaymessage
