I’ve been pondering some things a little bit more lately and have found so much benefit to doing so. In my life thus far, I have never asked for a blessing and not received it, whether or not I received it in the precise way I requested is irrelevant. I’ve always considered myself bless-ed of the Lord and continue to think of myself that way as I am consistently receiving blessings! My mind has often turned to Malachi 3:10 when it says, “… there shall not be room enough to receive it,” meaning there will be so many blessings and gifts from God that there just won’t be room for all of them! I think of that scripture from two different perspectives, in the thought that I shall prove the Lord and see if he will fulfill his promise, and also in an attitude of gratitude when I think of all that He has given me.

I think of Nephi in First Nephi chapter seven, when he prays for the strength that he may burst the bands his brethren had bonded him with. In verse 18 it says that “… the bands were loosed …” which gives me the image of an angel unfastening the knots on Nephi’s hands and feet just enough that Nephi may wiggle free and then stand up. Here we see an example of a mighty man praying and asking to receive a blessing and receiving it but not in the form requested. Perhaps this had to happen this way to give the millions that have read the Book of Mormon an example of the Lord answering our prayers in an unexpected way, but answering them nonetheless. I do not know, however I do know that the Lord’s plan is a grand one, an all encompassing one and He is eternal and perfect and therefore, His plan and how He chooses to answer our prayers is perfect and is planned ahead so much better than we ever could!

Today, I had an experience when I totally felt that Yes! I am being watched over by my Heavenly Father and Yes! He is absolutely and completely aware of my needs as well as my family’s needs. It was a small blessing, but it was a direct answer to my prayers recently. I am grateful that I was in-tune enough to recognize the blessing for what it was! And further, I am grateful for the individual who was in-tune and I’m sure unknowingly assisted Heavenly Father! How wonderful it is to know that I am a child of God, a daughter of God. And it is even more gratifying to know that He knows me and that He is watching over me. He hears my prayers, and He answers them. For all this, and more, I am grateful.