Daily habits

More Blessings Than Burdens

/ Christine Maynor / Leave a comment

Thank you for subscribing-may these words bring a quiet moment of peace and reflection to your day.

My Daily Musings-July 18th, 2026

“There will always be more blessings than burdens—even if some days it doesn’t seem so.” — Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

I love this quote because it reminds me of something I need to remember, especially on the hard days.

Living with chronic illness, there are times when I get discouraged because my health isn’t good and I can’t accomplish very much. In those moments, it can feel like my burdens are much bigger than my blessings. But I’ve learned that when I pause and really begin to look around, I can always find reasons to be grateful. The love of family, a kind word, a beautiful sunset, a favorite hymn, a quiet moment with the Lord—those blessings are still there.

I also believe our Heavenly Father delights in blessing His children. He isn’t waiting for us to be perfect or for our trials to end before He shows His love. He is constantly placing blessings in our path, if we’ll take the time to notice them.

What blessings has God placed in your life today that might be easy to overlook? When life feels heavy, how do you remind yourself that God’s goodness is still greater than your burdens?

Some days our burdens may seem overwhelming, but God’s blessings are always greater—even if we have to look a little harder to see them.

Choosing Gratitude

/ Christine Maynor / Leave a comment

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Backstory:
During a recent therapy session, we talked about the importance of gratitude in both our mental and physical well-being. As we talked, my thoughts immediately turned to my own journey with chronic illness. My symptoms are never far from my mind, yet I've learned that gratitude doesn't require perfect circumstances. Even on my hardest days, I can thank God for simple blessings, for the strength to keep going, and for knowing I never face my struggles alone. My Heavenly Father knows exactly how I feel, and my Savior understands every pain, every moment of fatigue, and every feeling of discouragement because He experienced it all for us. Gratitude hasn't taken away my trials, but it has carried me through them, reminding me that one day every burden will be made right through Jesus Christ.

Choosing Gratitude

My alarm goes off and I open my eyes,
Then I hang my feet over my bed and I slowly rise.
This day may be hard because of my chronic illness,
But I choose to give thanks to my Father in the stillness.

My body doesn’t let me do all the things I want to do,
And I could choose to let my mind and heart be blue.
Some days I feel discouragement creep inside of  me 
Because on those days, my blessings are harder to see.

Yes, I’m human, and sometimes I stray 
Because my life is difficult and the skies feel gray.
But the sun always rises to bring me peace, 
And I watch the shadows of the morning cease. 

So I try to count my blessings from my Father above
That He pours down on me with His enduring love.
Even when the storm winds begin to blow, 
I can look for the light that He sends below. 

My illness may shape my days,
But gratitude shapes my heart in praise.
There is always hope for another day
And I can feel the love of my Father when I pray.

The Takeaway: Gratitude doesn't deny our pain—it reminds us that God's blessings are present even in the middle of it. When we choose to notice His goodness, we often find the strength to keep taking the next step. And because of Jesus Christ, we can be grateful not only for today's blessings but also for the perfect healing and eternal hope that await all who trust in Him. 

Watch my YouTube short on this topic here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/347416u3gjk

A Heart in Tune

/ Christine Maynor / Leave a comment

Thank you for subscribing-may these words bring a quiet moment of peace and reflection to your day.

My Daily Musings-July 17th, 2026

“Be in tune so the Lord can use you.”

I recently came across this simple quote on Facebook, and it really resonated with me. As a singer, I know how important it is to be in tune. Singers have to match the piano and each other. Instruments need to be tuned so they produce beautiful music together. When something is out of tune, it doesn’t sound quite right.

It made me think about my own life. Just as musicians need to stay in tune with one another, we need to stay in tune with our Heavenly Father. As we seek His guidance and listen to the promptings of the Spirit, He can use us as instruments in His hands to bless those around us. He knows who needs encouragement, a kind word, or a helping hand. When our hearts are in tune with Him, we’re better able to hear His direction and follow where He leads.

It makes me wonder, what helps us stay in tune with the Spirit each day? Are we making time to pray, study His word, and listen quietly for His voice? And when those gentle promptings come, are we willing to follow them so the Lord can use us to bless one of His children?

I want to be someone the Lord can use. That begins by staying close to Him each day so my heart is in tune with His.

Hope That Keeps Me Going

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My Daily Musings-July 16th, 2026

Some days, hope is what keeps us moving forward.

I was talking with my therapist recently about my health. The last few months have brought new and worsening symptoms that no doctor has been able to explain. I told her that I just keep going, hoping that maybe the next doctor will have answers or the next medication will help. She smiled and said it was a good thing that I always have hope that someday my health will improve.

Her words stayed with me.

I don’t know when that day will come. Even on the hardest days, when my body won’t allow me to do very much, I still choose to believe that better days are ahead. Where do you find hope when life feels uncertain? What keeps you moving forward when the answers don’t come as quickly as you’d like?

For me, that hope is rooted in my Savior, Jesus Christ. Because of His Atonement, I know that every trial has an eternal purpose, and I trust that in His perfect time, healing and peace will come. Until then, I’ll keep holding on to hope—one day at a time.

Until It Sparkles

/ Christine Maynor / Leave a comment

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My Daily Musings-July 13th, 2026

“When we look for the worst in anyone, we will find it. But if we will concentrate on the best, that element will grow until it sparkles.” — President Gordon B. Hinckley

This quote has been on my mind because it’s something I need to work on, especially with the people closest to me. It’s so easy to notice the habits that frustrate us, but what if we intentionally looked for the good instead?

Heavenly Father created each of us with unique gifts and strengths. When we choose to see others through His eyes, their goodness begins to stand out more and more—until, as President Hinckley said, it sparkles. I wonder if that’s also how love grows. The more we focus on the good in someone, the more our hearts are filled with compassion, patience, and gratitude for who they are.

Who in your life could use a little more grace from you today? What good qualities might begin to sparkle if you intentionally looked for them?

May we strive to love others a little more like our Heavenly Father does, choosing to see the beauty He has placed within each of His children.