Grateful No Matter What

Dear God,

I am grateful for this time I have been given. I am grateful for my life despite my circumstances. I am grateful for Your infinite love, Your redeeming grace, Your calm reassurances. How grateful I am for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, for the light and knowledge you have given me and those who came before. How grateful I am for the hope you've instilled in me, for the hope that is possible because of Your Son.

Heavenly Father, thank-You for the parents you have given me and the family that I cherish. Thank-You for ever watching over me, for blessing me with this beautiful world. Thank-You for healing my sin sick soul.

Sincerely,

Job

The Beginning of Healing

There is a balm in Gilead

To make the wounded whole;

There is a balm in Gilead

To heal the sin-sick soul.

Dear God-

If I could sing like Judy Collins, I'd be singing "Amazing Grace" right now. 

I'm not good at expressing my gratitude in words nor can I adequately describe the peace and healing I have felt as of late but I wanted to say thank-You in the most sincere way I know how. 

From time to time You bless me with Your redeeming grace, Your tender mercies, and the embrace of Your infinite love. Rarely though, am I in harmony to receive it but these past couple weeks have been one of those times. 

I am grateful Father for Your gracious blessings, for the peace of mind, for the healing of my troubled heart. At moments I have felt life again with the same innocent excitement that I often felt and how wonderful it is! Like a vail of darkness lifted from over my mind I can once again see the light. Feel the light! Oh what joy liberation brings!

How grateful I am for the opportunity I had this day, to testify in church of the redeeming and liberating power of Thy Son's atonement. How grateful I am for answered prayers...for Your help in accomplishing the things which I've been asked to do. 

Indeed "there is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole"!

Love,

Job

Thank-You Note

Dear God-

I just wanted to write You a quick note, thanking You for the peace I have felt recently. I am grateful for the comfort I have received by Your hand--for awaking my mind to good memories and reassuring feelings. I am grateful Father, for the gospel, for Your Son's atoning sacrifice, that I may be succored in my times of need. Oh my merciful Father, blessed be Your name forever!

Sincerely,

Job

When the Sky Turns Blue

Dear  God-

Sometimes I pity myself because of my perceived physical imperfections. So often I look at the other boys and long to be them and wonder how much better my life would be if it were so. This longing often turns into lust and I keep looking until I feel it is no longer safe. But I know in this thing I do sin. I shouldn't covet other mens' bodies but it is hard, especially during these summer months when the sky turns blue.

Instead, Father, I should be giving gratitude for the body I do have, for the blessing it is to be able to use my limbs and joints, for the blessing it is to going running often and behold the beauty of the earth around me. I am grateful that I am in good health, that I have full use of my body, and for the strength You have given me to eat healthy and resist the bad. 

Father, forgive me that I covet. And help me to see myself as the glorious being I am capable of becoming. 

Sincerely,

Job