Good Lesson

While I was in California (see next post), I had a nice conversation with my Uncle Ernie. He is my mom's younger brother and has always been like a father to me. I love him with all my heart. As we sat on the couch early this morning before anyone else was awake, he told me about a class he teaches for people struggling with addictions. One of the stories he told me taught me a lesson and I share it in hopes that it might help someone else.

In the scriptures we read that when we pay our tithing, "the windows of heaven will pour down blessings that there won't be room enough to receive them". A gentleman in this class commented that he would pay his tithing then wait for a check to come in the mail, a bank error, or some other windfall of money that would be just the right amount of money that he needed. He was looking for a miracle of money.

After struggling with this for a long time, the gentleman said he finally reread that scripture and focused on the word "window". He realized that money does not come through windows when they are open. What does come through open windows is light and warmth. He said he learned that when he paid his tithing, Heavenly Father wasn't promising to give him that money back in another form (yes, that stuff does happen sometimes, but that isn't my point) but rather when he paid his tithing, Heavenly Father promises to give him light and knowledge and warmth. He promises to strengthen our testimonies.

As we all continue to struggle financially, I hope this helps someone else like it has me. I need to focus my attention on blessings that are not as tangible as cash such as the light of the gosple, peace in my heart and an increased desire to do good.