Blessings on the Doorstep

We have been the recipients of some incredible blessings right on the doorstep of our home! It seems like when the day has been a particularly trying one or our hearts dip into despair, we have been blessed with tangible and intangible gifts. These gifts have taken the form of ice cream and treats on some days, a box filled with hats and incredible pieces of art on another, and inevitably, smiles, hugs, and quiet acts of service. We are blessed people!


Who would have thought that such inconceivable blessings were to be found on the doorstep of our pain? Yet these blessings have indeed found their way into our home and into our hearts and have miraculously lessened the burden. It has been a wonderful experience to witness so many of you following the spirit and doing, what for you may have seemed ridiculous at the time, but was exactly what a hurting heart was in need of. Thank you for following through on the spiritual promptings that you have received (Doctrine and Covenants 6:15-16, 22-23).


I am always amazed to see how inextricably connected trial and blessing seem to be. This is a truly incredible plan from a loving Heavenly Father, and is the reality for every single one of us! He knows that it is through the challenges that show up on the doorsteps of our lives that we are pushed out of our comfort zones and grow, and it is through this growth that we receive the blessing of becoming more like Him (2 Nephi 2:25, footnote ‘d’). It doesn’t lessen the pain, but it increases the depth of the insight that comes and the resultant growth (Zechariah 13:9). I think with enough time most of us can see God’s loving hand even in the middle of our hardest times!

So, as I ponder about the wonderful gifts that we have received at our doorstep, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the good times and the hard times, for easily recognized blessings and perceived challenges, and I am grateful that Christ stands at the door and knocks, waiting for us to simply let Him in (Revelations 3:20-22). I hope I will always have a desire to let Him in and truly receive the greatest gift that will ever be on the doorsteps of our lives.

“The challenges you face, the growth experiences you encounter, are intended to be temporary scenes played out on the stage of a life of continuing peace and happiness. Sadness, heartache, and disappointment are events in life. It is not intended that they be the substance of life. I do not minimize how hard some of these events can be. When the lesson you are to learn is very important, trials can extend over a long period of time, but they should not be allowed to become the confining focus of everything you do. Your life can and should be wondrously rewarding. It is your understanding and application of the laws of God that will give your life glorious purpose as you ascend and conquer the difficulties of life. That perspective keeps challenges confined to their proper place—stepping-stones to further growth and attainment.”


Richard G. Scott, The Atonement Can Secure You Peace and Happiness, Oct. 2006

‘Mom’s Heart moment’: Yesterday Justin’s mom came over to help in our home. She had just finished putting Isaac’s shoes on when he reached up to feel her hair and said, “Nice hair.” She thanked him and he continued, “My mom doesn’t have any hair. Papa Ron (Justin’s dad and the finest Barber around)cut my mom’s hair…Papa cut too much!”


When we are listening, even the tiniest of us speak the thoughts that are troubling to our hearts. Thank goodness for Grandmas!