Gratitude and Gasping for Breath

Can you find gratitude when you’re gasping for breath?

It’s been a while since my feet (and lungs) tried to climb the mountain by my home in Arizona, but I set out today to give my best effort with a goal of reaching the top. In my younger days I used to race the clock - compete against my own previous best time. Now in my 50’s I count it as a win when I just show up.

Are you fighting a fear of the corona virus or battling your own steep hike on a difficult journey in life? Switching the focus from your own tired feet to gratitude for blessings can seem difficult at first.

Keep it simple. Take a few moments to feel gratitude for a hot shower, food in your cupboard or a roof over your head. Over time, that list will grow and you’ll naturally begin to recognize those small, yet significant blessings. That changed focus has the ability to LIFT our spirits.

Our winter months in Arizona are beautiful and green and cool. As my lungs gasped for air on the side of the mountain, I managed to lift my head and notice the green around me. I recognized it. I felt it. And then I thanked God for it. Soon enough our temps are going to climb to triple digits and this view will be gone.

Whether the hard hike in your own life is physical, emotional or spiritual can you find the strength to lift your head and notice something beautiful?

After all - finding gratitude in the midst of a struggle is a strong prelude to finding hope.

STAY THE COURSE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

She’s LOSING HER SIGHT but NOT HER SENSE OF DIRECTION.
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My girl has been obsessed with her frisbee for 12 years now and can catch it in the air. But since cataracts have taken a good part of her vision, it’s more of a challenge.
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Sometimes physical, emotional or spiritual roadblocks appear in our path. If they become the focus we lose our direction. Soon enough there is no rudder to guide. Difficulties are inevitable in this mortal life and they might slow us down or trip us up. That’s mortality. The real question becomes - are we still headed in the right direction?
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Now it’s up to me to throw the frisbee directly in her path of running. She knows the right direction. She’s got a lifetime of learning beneath her feet. Her heart and soul will guide her after years of practice. She always moves in the right direction ... even in blind faith.
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Just as we should.

BE A SUNBEAM

Jesus wants me for a SUNBEAM?☀️
Yes - me and YOU. Sometimes we make the gospel complicated. There are so many levels of understanding, research and valiant goals to achieve. And there’s a place for that. It’s a process of progression. And it’s good.
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But sometimes we need to simplify. Strip the principles down to love and light. On hard days and in dark seasons we can feel overwhelmed with disappointments, what-ifs and lists of our own perceived weaknesses. But I think we can find a moment each day to brighten the room even during the struggle. It’s remembering simple truths we all learned about as children. I love Jesus ... and He loves me.
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Share your light. Love yourself. Be a SUNBEAM.

WE STILL REMEMBER

ELDER CONRAD 💜
WE STILL REMEMBER

One year ago, there was a knock on this door. A message delivered from two leaders that was tragic. Heartbreaking. Unthinkable.
The Dominican Republic and this family had lost a missionary, son, brother and friend to a terrible accident.
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On that day, friends from church brought colorful hearts inscribed with heartfelt messages and taped them on this front door. Words of love honoring Brennan and family in his Utah home.
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I knocked on that same door on the one-year anniversary. My dad and I brought flowers and brownies. A gesture to recognize a difficult day.
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The hearts are still there. One year of sun, wind, rain and snow has taken its toll. Most of the words unreadable and colors faded and wilting.
“I can’t take them down yet,” said his mom.
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Hearts are broken from a year of hard days yet lifted in the hope of eternal glory. The sentiment and spirit of Brennan in those crumpled hearts is still very much alive.
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I’ll never forget that beautiful front door. It’s a vision of tenderness felt in my soul. Gratitude for sacrifice, faith and testimony. A desire to live my life loving God and serving others. I’ll always remember the wrinkled hearts that keep giving and embrace the desire to be a little bit better ...
FOR BRENNAN