As I was reading the Book of Mormon this morning I began in 1 Nephi 17. I’ve read it dozens of times before, but today I was searching for moments of revelation between God and man. The search came easily as Nephi recounts their journey in the wilderness v.16 “…coming to the land they called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish”. Verse 17 continues, “And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore; and notwithstanding we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all, we were exceedingly rejoiced when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful, because if it’s much fruit.”

I paused for a moment to reflect and ponder this, ‘what have been my “Bountiful” moments when the Lord has prepared a person, place or circumstance for my benefit’? Did I see it, hear it or know it? Does there need to be a struggle in a “wilderness place” before our “Bountiful” is found and recognized? Does the struggle make the Bountiful place sweeter?

In my reflection I realize that the question really is, when has the Lord not provided or prepared a person, place or circumstance. Every move, every decision large and small, every fork or turn in the road, the Lord guided, directed and provided. I am where I am, because of all the “Bountiful” places and moments in my life.

For years now, every November 1st we begin a family group text of “I am thankful for…” . We send a text of thanksgiving and gratitude, sharing with one another what we see, hear and know. Some are funny, some are serious, some are even on the border of ridiculous, but what we all really know is that God is in the details, even in the seemly ridiculous.

I invite you to find gratitude every day, at least thru the month of November, pause to notice how gratitude makes you feel. Does it make it feel like a “Bountiful Moment”?