I was sitting in church on Sunday pondering over the many changes I've undergone--definitely in the last year-or-so I've been a missionary, but more so in the last two or three weeks--and how much I've been learning about our life here on Earth. We have SO MANY things we always "have to do", it can get a little overwhelming at times and we don't spend enough time "sharpening the saw", taking care of Number One, and focusing on our personal growth. Like I said, these last two weeks have been really tough for some reasons, but very rewarding for many others, and I couldn't help but marvel at the chance I have to choose a change every day. I was lost in thought (as happens on a fairly frequent basis for me).
So there I am, pondering away, when this good brother stands up (it was a testimony meeting where members of the congregation can go up to the podium at will and share their statements of belief) and says he's been struggling with something which he can't seem to beat. He made a remark that really struck me, which I hope stays with me forever. He said, "I am so thankful for these two days I've been free from this addiction. But I imagine I'll mess up again. Yesterday was day one, today was day two. I am thankful for all the day ones God gives me--where I can try and try again."
That hit me really hard. How many times have I been impatient with someone who may be struggling with heartaches I can't see? And yet I turn around and ask God to be merciful and patient with me and give me another "day one"... how can that be?I know I have flaws. I know I have things I should be able to overcome but just don't. But God knows I'm trying. He knows that if I mess up, there will always be another "day one" for me to try, try again.
That's the promise of Jesus Christ, too! In the Book of Mormon, we read the following invitation:
Come and fear not, and lay aside every sin which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down...yea come and go forth... (Alma 7: 15)
We all mess up. We all need Christ to untangle us from our mistakes. He will give us another "day one". And I love Him for that.
Much Love,
Elder Spendlove
Elder Spendlove, you are amazing. Thank you for posting this. It is just what I needed right now. I've been beating myself up for something I haven't been able to do on my own, probably will never be able to do it on my own, and I needed this reminder of how merciful our Lord is.
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for those "one day"'s too! i think this is why we have the repentance process, because we are continuly growing and changing and messing up.. so we can always turn to the Lord and ask him to help us change! I'm grateful for this gospel!
ReplyDeleteThought for the day, thanks for the post.
ReplyDelete