This past Easter weekend was wonderful. I enjoyed time with my family and being in the nice spring weather. My heart was also turned to the Savior and the blessings his life and atonement have brought into my life. It would be much harder for me to get up everyday and face the challenges of life and parenting without the knowledge of my Savior! Because of His atonement, I realize the mistakes and bad choices I make (especially as a parent) can be forgiven and that I get a chance every day to do better than the day before! The example of Jesus life of unconditional love and service has encourages me to do the same with those I interact with each day!
The gift of the Savior's atonement hasn't only given me the ability to feel peace and joy for repenting of my many sins and short comings but also when I have been called on to show love, mercy, and forgiveness for others in my life! I remember a time when I was struggling to forgive someone for a repeated offense that didn't hurt me physically but gave me a broken heart. I wondered if I would have to deal with this issue over and over again. I was feeling a lot of pain and losing a lot of sleep. Finally I turned to the scriptures and also the teachings of leaders of my Church. I was reminded of the Savior's life and all the hardships he bore patiently of being mocked and spit upon and hurt. Yet he still loved everyone!
I read from the book of Matthew, chapter 18, verses 21-22, "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but Until seventy times seven." I knew that the Savior would forgive me for each of my sins and that I needed to do the same to all those who offended me. I also remembered (through my studies) that the Savior new exactly how I felt, the heart ache that was hurting me. I also realized that this person didn't like the choices they had made and they were struggling and hurting just as much or more than I was! Then I was able to truly forgive this person and I was filled with great peace and my heartache went away. I was filled with love and compassion for this person, and I also knew that if it happened again, I would be able to forgive again. It is a wonderful and amazing gift from our Savior that we can all use in these troubling times!
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