"Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled." -Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Singing at our ward Christmas party was a rare treat. It was simple and low-key and full of joy. We sang everything from "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" to "O Holy Night." The unplanned nature of the time spent caroling around the piano made it feel like a family gathered just to celebrate the joyful season. And perhaps it was these circumstances that were the perfect setting for the thoughts that came as we sang "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."
The line written above had been sung by me probably once a year since I could sing. But I've never realized quite what it meant. And, especially what it meant to me. To be reconciled is one of the best feelings I've ever experienced. And what must it be like to be reconciled with my Creator! I've had glimpses of what that's like and I look forward to its completion. I recognize that such glimpses are due to the Savior that came and His part in bridging God and sinners. It wouldn't be possible to feel that peace and joy without Him.
This is a familiar testimony, stated many times throughout the world and the ages. And for me it continues to grow, influenced by those around me and the testimony they share, like in the instance of singing carols with my lovely ward which led to realizing what it means for God and sinners to be reconciled. So this Christmas season and as we start another year afresh, I just would like to add a few of my thoughts.
I know that our Savior and Redeemer was born into this world to bridge us sinners with the Lord Omnipotent. That through His saving grace and infinite atonement, we can always start again, be renew, and be reconciled. As we allow Him into our lives, He has the chance to guide and strengthen us and give us opportunities to grow that we can experience in no other way. He is the source of peace for this earth and is the bridge and key to our return to our Heavenly Father.
May He bless all your adventures for the coming year!
Showing posts with label atonement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label atonement. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Adventure #45: The 10th Anniversary!
"...what if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy? What if trials in this life - the rain, the storms, the hardest nights - are [His] mercies in disguise?" - Laura Story, Blessings
Granted, a few days late but the sentiment is still there! I hope everyone had a splendid April 28th. Mine was especially interesting this year...haha...and it made me rather reflective. I took a look back on what the previous years have been and I realized a few things I'd like to share.
The first thing I realized is that I've been celebrating this holiday for ten years. This year is its 10th anniversary!!! Hence, the title of this post...
Next, every Stop and Smell the Roses day has be spent very differently. And all have been - at least in part - how the day is supposed to be.
So finally, I've discovered that I've had to fight for this day every year. Even it's origin was essentially to stop an argument (see this post). There was a year that I had to take my first car, Guido, to the junkyard on this day (I was actually quite devastated by this, thank you very much!). I've had finals on this day for at least two of the years. One year I had to get up at 6 am for a moving sale that went to like 3 or something. I've worked through it in various years (though I have also skipped work and school for it other years). One year, my grandma died the day before. So yeah, a battle every year.
That brings us to this year. This whole entire year has not been easy on me, especially emotionally. My anxieties have been higher than ever, mostly due to going nonstop with school and work full time. So when my car started acting up the night before my day, I was stressed. I am a little ashamed to admit it but my only thought process was: Why does this have to happen before my holiday? I was letting myself relax! I was feeling happier than I have let myself feel in months.
Now I recognized that this was a problem. I should let myself be happier more often (I'm working on it!). But I was very focused on how much I didn't want this Stop and Smell the Roses day to be such a battle. And by the end of the night, after complaining to my darling roommates, I had decided that the next day was going to be a good day.
When the morning came, I was still recovering from the emotional let down of the car problems. But I had the opportunity to go shopping for work with my roommate, Lindsay. Amid the many adventures, we did discuss once again how I was feeling about my holiday. I expressed similar sentiments as before but also that I'd never not turned one of these days around. They always turned out. This is when she asked me possibly the most important question I've ever been asked.
"Have you ever thought that maybe you don't have to do it alone?'
I was a bit confused. So I asked, "What do you mean?"
This brilliant girl answered simply and powerfully, "The Atonement is meant to be used for more than just repentance and overcoming sins."
She continued to express her thoughts on this. I apologize here to you, Lindsay, because I was only half listening after that first sentence. I say this because after she said Atonement I knew she was right. I knew I could and needed to turn to my Savior with this. I felt it. Every time I came back to her question and the answer (which was like every other minute on OSASTRD), I could feel it again.
In my reflective state then, I've discovered a new level to Official Stop and Smell the Roses Day. While some years are going to be harder than others, I will never have to face them alone. The Savior wants every day to be like Stop and Smell the Roses day for us. And the best way to do this is to turn to Him in all things...in made up holidays and car troubles even.
And when you forget this...when I forget this, as I've unfortunately done, I truly appreciate those blessed friends who remind me who I need to be taking these things to. Thank you for helping me with my adventures.
Happy Official Stop and Smell the Roses Day!!!
Granted, a few days late but the sentiment is still there! I hope everyone had a splendid April 28th. Mine was especially interesting this year...haha...and it made me rather reflective. I took a look back on what the previous years have been and I realized a few things I'd like to share.
The first thing I realized is that I've been celebrating this holiday for ten years. This year is its 10th anniversary!!! Hence, the title of this post...
Next, every Stop and Smell the Roses day has be spent very differently. And all have been - at least in part - how the day is supposed to be.
So finally, I've discovered that I've had to fight for this day every year. Even it's origin was essentially to stop an argument (see this post). There was a year that I had to take my first car, Guido, to the junkyard on this day (I was actually quite devastated by this, thank you very much!). I've had finals on this day for at least two of the years. One year I had to get up at 6 am for a moving sale that went to like 3 or something. I've worked through it in various years (though I have also skipped work and school for it other years). One year, my grandma died the day before. So yeah, a battle every year.
That brings us to this year. This whole entire year has not been easy on me, especially emotionally. My anxieties have been higher than ever, mostly due to going nonstop with school and work full time. So when my car started acting up the night before my day, I was stressed. I am a little ashamed to admit it but my only thought process was: Why does this have to happen before my holiday? I was letting myself relax! I was feeling happier than I have let myself feel in months.
Now I recognized that this was a problem. I should let myself be happier more often (I'm working on it!). But I was very focused on how much I didn't want this Stop and Smell the Roses day to be such a battle. And by the end of the night, after complaining to my darling roommates, I had decided that the next day was going to be a good day.
When the morning came, I was still recovering from the emotional let down of the car problems. But I had the opportunity to go shopping for work with my roommate, Lindsay. Amid the many adventures, we did discuss once again how I was feeling about my holiday. I expressed similar sentiments as before but also that I'd never not turned one of these days around. They always turned out. This is when she asked me possibly the most important question I've ever been asked.
"Have you ever thought that maybe you don't have to do it alone?'
I was a bit confused. So I asked, "What do you mean?"
This brilliant girl answered simply and powerfully, "The Atonement is meant to be used for more than just repentance and overcoming sins."
She continued to express her thoughts on this. I apologize here to you, Lindsay, because I was only half listening after that first sentence. I say this because after she said Atonement I knew she was right. I knew I could and needed to turn to my Savior with this. I felt it. Every time I came back to her question and the answer (which was like every other minute on OSASTRD), I could feel it again.
In my reflective state then, I've discovered a new level to Official Stop and Smell the Roses Day. While some years are going to be harder than others, I will never have to face them alone. The Savior wants every day to be like Stop and Smell the Roses day for us. And the best way to do this is to turn to Him in all things...in made up holidays and car troubles even.
And when you forget this...when I forget this, as I've unfortunately done, I truly appreciate those blessed friends who remind me who I need to be taking these things to. Thank you for helping me with my adventures.
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