Seek

(This is an excerpt from the chapter "Live After the Manner of Happiness" in the book Love Life and See Good Days.)

In our attempt to see good days, our focus becomes essential. If that focus becomes impeded, if we let other things get in the way, it is hard to recognize the good that is happening all around us. Sometimes it requires heaven’s help to lift us high enough to look past the distractions and see the good again.

I love to read the story of Amulek, a man of no small reputation, with many kindreds and friends, and much money (see Alma 10:4). Amulek was obviously a man who was very blessed, and yet he tells us, “Nevertheless, after all this, I never have known much of the ways of the Lord, and his . . . marvelous power. I said I never had known much of these things; but behold, I mistake, for I have seen much of his . . . marvelous power. . . . Nevertheless, I did harden my heart . . . ; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know” (Alma 10:5–6; emphasis added).

Even though he was surrounded by blessings, Amulek did not open his eyes to see the good things. It wasn’t until the Lord opened his eyes that Amulek recognized blessings unmeasured and said, “He hath blessed mine house, he hath blessed me, and my women, and my children, and my father and my kinsfolk; yea, even all my kindred hath he blessed, and the blessing of the Lord hath rested upon us” (Alma 10:11).

I sometimes wonder if we fall into the trap of Amulek. Do we get so caught up in the day-to-day happenings of life that we forget to see God in the details? Maybe if we could just stop for a little while and remove the distractions, we would begin to discover miracles in the ordinary moments of our lives.