Bountiful Blessings

Sometimes I really lack the patience that I'd like to have.  This morning, for example, I was waiting in line at the produce co-op, and it was taking  forever.  I was there a little before 7 a.m., just like I was supposed to be, but they had not finished sorting the produce yet.  I was getting a little irritated.  I had woken up early to get a good spot in line, and they weren't even ready for me!  It was windy, and my little helpers that I brought with me were getting a little whiny.  Why couldn't they just hurry up??  Then, a quiet voice from the work area said, "If you're wondering why this is taking so long, it's because we only had four volunteers this morning.  If you want things to go faster, please volunteer next week."  Oh dear.  I had been complaining because I woke up earlier than usual, when there were four people who had gotten up at least an hour and a half before me to sort my produce.  Suddenly, those people who were taking so long and irritating me looked like angels.  I was so grateful that they were willing to take time out of their schedule to make this co-op work.

 

Bountiful Blessings

  
I feel like this is a little how things were when Nephi broke his bow.  All the brothers had had good success in hunting along their journey in the wilderness.  Suddenly, Nephi's bow broke, and there was no food.  "...and after I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with me...for we did obtain no food."  Now here was a guy who had been hunting and providing food for his family for weeks, maybe even months.  I don't know how his bow broke, but I'm sure he didn't purposely break it.  And boy was his family angry with him.  So Nephi made a new bow, one not nearly as nice as the steel bow he had been using, but adequate enough.  He went where the Lord directed him, and was able to obtain food for the families.

And it came to pass that I did return to our tents, bearing the beasts which I had slain; and now when they beheld that I had obtained food, how great was their joy!  And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord, and did give thanks unto him.

Just as I had been humbled by the co-op volunteers this morning, I'm sure Nephi's family was humbled that he left to go hunting alone and came back with food for the whole family.  This week I will make it a point to have patience with the people around me.  To have patience with the bagger at the grocery store.  To have patience with the volunteer football coach, whom I can never contact with my concerns. And patience with my kids, who try to help but don't do things exactly as I would.  Instead, I will be humbly grateful for the sacrifices that all of these people are making to make my life a little easier.

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