Pity Party in Review

It amazes me how my prayers are constantly answered through the scriptures. Recently Riley and I received a huge blessing in our lives that allows us to now owe less in bills and payments than we make each month. This is the first time in over two years that we have been in this position. If fact, for the first time in our marriage, I came up with a budget. I'm so blessed, right?

Well, due to human nature and character flaw, I found myself pouting last night because our budget is so tight. "I'm 30," I thought, "aren't I entitled to vacations in Hawaii or even a enough money to afford to buy a new bedspread?" I knelt down to pray and expressed some of my frustrations to my Father in Heaven.

After my prayer, I opened my scriptures and this was what I read,

And it came to pass that we did again take our journey in the wilderness...And did travel and wade through much affliction...and our women did bear children in the wilderness. And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did eat raw meat in the wilderness, our women did have plenty of suck and...they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings (1 Nephi:17:1&2).

Needless to say, I was humbled. My afflictions seemed so small and I have the nerve to murmur! Here I was sitting in my huge, warm master suite with a full belly reading about women having babies in the wilderness with nothing to eat but raw meat, and yet they were not complaining. Nephi actually referred to the circumstance they were in as a huge blessing! I continued to read, and received this counsel,

And thus we see that the commandments or God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God, He doth nourish them and strengthen them and provide means whereby they can accomplish the things which he has commanded them (17:3).

As I pondered verse 3, I realized how many blessings my family has received in the past two years, which have allowed us to serve the Lord and take care of our children. Both of which are commandments. My heart was changed and I turned from an ungrateful state to one of thankfulness. In other words, I ended my pity party.

I have so many blessings, a wonderful and hard working husband, a fantastic support system from extended family and friends, beautiful and healthy children just to name a few. I know as I continue to live righteously, the Lord will keep blessing and taking care of me.