I have a favorite hymn. Ok, I have a lot of favorite hymns. But one that I've always considered to be at the top of my list, is the hymn "Because I Have Been Given Much". Singing that song last Sunday, I've been thinking a lot about the words ever since.

Because I have been given much, I too must give;
Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live
I shall divide my gifts from thee With every brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me.

I don't think there is a better time to recognize and be grateful for the things that we've been given than during Thanksgiving. I know that I have been given much! I have food and shelter. I have friends that help me when I need it most. And I have a family that loves and supports me in all I do. I really couldn't ask for more! Because I have been given much, I too must give!

Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care,
I cannot see another's lack and I not share
My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, my roof's safe shelter over head,
That he too may be comforted.

For me, I think I've always had the excuse that I have nothing to really give people. I'm a poor college student, what could I possibly have that could help other people out? It wasn't till I read these words that I realized that it wasn't as hard as I was making it to be. A glowing fire, a loaf of bread and a roof's safe shelter over head are not impossible things to offer other people but we do it, so that others may be comforted. I like how it says "that he too may be comforted." That implies that I was comforted first, perhaps by someone else who was comforted by someone else.

Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord,
I'll share thy love again, according to thy word.
I shall give love to those in need; I'll show that love by word and deed:
Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

It was this verse that got to me the most. I sang this song while I was sitting next to some of my friends who have completely changed my life forever. I got a little emotional. I've seen the fulfillment of verse 3 in my own life with the very people I was sitting next to. I have been so blessed by God's love. I know a lot of people who share His love according to His word. So, now it's up to me. Now that I've felt His love, especially from the people around me, now it's time for me to give love to those in need. Everyone is in need of His love and we can show it by what we say and what we do. That's how we can show our thanks and gratitude to Heavenly Father for all that we've been given.

In struggling with Same Gender Attraction, I realize that I have been given much. Let me explain. For the longest time, I felt that I needed to carry this burden alone. I couldn't reach out to anyone else for help because I feared what their reactions would be. Since I've been able to open up, I now realize all that God has given me to help me with my struggles of Same Gender Attraction. This isn't something that anyone should do alone. I'm grateful that I struggled with this at a time where there are lots of resources. The booklet God Loveth His Children, the book In Quiet Desperation, and my therapist have helped me come to terms with my struggles. I've had great Bishops that have helped me to take care of the past and look to the future. I have loving parents that, even though they don't fully understand my struggle, have given me the love and support that I've needed. I have friends that have changed my perspective on life and my struggles and always know what to say and when to say it. I owe a lot to these friends. And ultimately, I know and recognize that all this has come from Heavenly Father. He promised that He wouldn't leave us down here alone. I'm grateful to Him for all He has blessed me with.

I have been given much and I too must give. I shall divide my gifts from thee, with every brother that I see who has the need of help from me.