“How much better it would be if all could be more aware of God’s providence and love and express that gratitude to him. Ammon taught, ’Let us give thanks to (God), for he doth work righteousness forever.’ Our degree of gratitude is a measure of our love for him,” said Elder Russell M. Nelson God’s existence, grace and influence is as real as the air we breathe, said lds.org.
Yet we humans struggle to accept concepts we can’t detect with our five senses. Much as it needs UV light to unveil invisible ink, there are several things students and locals pointed out as tools they use to detect God in their lives.
Gratitude
With gratitude, said lds.org, we’re less likely to miss the blessings and learning opportunities He’s always presenting us with.
“The progress in the mission goes really fast.” Evan Dickson, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry from Washington D.C., told the story of how the companionships in his mission would point out blessings in each other’s lives in order to detect God’s influence better.
Trials
“There is no education like adversity,” wrote British writer Benjamin Disraeli.
Remembering the first year of his mission, in which he struggled with “rough companions,” Dickson said, “Trials are not a hindrance for our growth, but the reason we do grow. Through the trials God manifests the most love.”
Samuel Brieden, a senior majoring in biochemistry from Michigan, said having hard classes is a way to stay humble and not forget the Lord. “My brother always would pray for other people to have trials,” he added with a smile.
“When you relax too much and fall into those habits that drag you away from the gospel, those trials start to appear.”
Service
Brieden pointed out the power of service in the process of getting to know God better. “Any sort of charity work helps you feel the trust God puts in you. It’s easier to see Him work when you are part of the work.”
It works even if it is nothing more than holding open a door, giving a compliment or fixing a friend’s car.
Parenthood
David Fonoimoana, a member of the Laie community, is father of two young daughters. He remembered the shift in his life when his first child was born.
“I have heard of the impact it makes in people’s life, but I realized the change of becoming a father. I felt very responsible. It is not just your kid, but God entrusted me with one of His children. He is counting on me on doing my best. I was grateful for this trust. But I am very aware of the importance of the decisions of how I raise my children.”
Fonoimoana pondered about the challenge of finding a proper balance between letting the child explore and gain its own experience and restricting it in order to protect it from danger.
“That’s what life is about. We have this freedom of choice. I struggle to sit back and see them get even a little bit hurt. But in the long run I understand they learn that way.”
He said we all, as children of God, learn between obedience and the repentance after trial and error.
Endowment of power
Dickson added, “I see God in the really simple things. I see the difference when I start days with scripture study and prayer.”
He also recognizes God when he gets things done he wouldn’t be able to without help. “I am a very introverted person, but I still served a mission, talked with everybody I saw. Now I got back to being introverted again.”