Note to God

Today, it is Valentine's day.  A day of joy, a day of love, and day of candy, flowers and chocolate.  And with all the festivities, I wanted to write a note of thanks to my Heavenly Father.  He is the reason that I can take so much joy in this time of year. He is the reason my heart is full and my thoughts are thankful.  

Dear God,

How do I ever thank you for my life?  There were times that I questioned and doubted.  Times when I wasn't sure you were really there.  There have been good times like watching my children take their first steps, teaching them to sing in the car, listening to them give their first talks in church, and even listening to their feeble efforts to tell jokes.  There have been bad times too, my first garden, my first accident, my first ticket, surgeries, illness, death, and lots of taxes!  There have even been tears and sorrow, mistakes and regrets.  But when I really think about it, I know that You always knew better than I what it was that I really needed.
If I could go back right now and change the worst, totally unmentionable things, I am not sure I would really change any of them.  Especially if changing them would have taken me in a different direction.  Because, You know how much I love right where I am at this moment.  You know how much my family means to me.  The relationships I have with them, the love I feel for each one of them, the way my heart melts when I see them.  You know what it means for me to have a husband who loves, honors and cherishes me.  I might not have appreciated all those things if they would have come too easily in my life.  I might not be the person that I am today without the trials that I had to go through.  There is a reason that we each have thorns along with the roses of life.
So, just for today, I am thankful for those trials.  For the lessons I have learned, for the heart that has been both broken, and healed.  I am so thankful for Your loving influence in my life.  For the power of the Atonement that can both forgive our sins and heal our hearts.  There is not a greater gift in my life than the sweet, simple act of forgiveness.
During the tough times is when I see the miracles that surround me.  It is when I become aware of the many blessings.  It is when I recognize and acknowledge Your hand in all things.
For this day, I want you to know how very much I love You.  How much it means to me that You love me too.  And most of all, how grateful I am that you are there for me.  Your love, your forgiveness, your mercy and your grace are what gives me hope.  No matter what happens, I know that I am surrounded by your love.

Here is a link to Charice singing her hit "Note to God" on Oprah.  I loved this rendition.  I hope you do too.