Final Thoughts on Gratitude

 image from here

Politics. Religion. Current events.

These are subjects that I generally don't blog about.  Not because I'm apolitical or nonreligious or uninformed.

Once I was asked by a friend of mine why I don't blog much about my religion.  I thought today would be a good day for that.  Those of you that know me in my "real" life know this side of me.  I try to study as much as I can, learn whenever I can, and apply what I've learned to be more like my Savior, Jesus Christ.

We were reminded a few weeks ago during a Relief Society lesson that repentance is a privilege we are granted.  That one sentence has changed my perspective.  It is a gift, freely given, so that we can improve who we are and draw closer to God.  It is the chance we are given, extended over and over and over again, to change.  To be better.  To become more God-like.

The scripture in Matthew 18:22 about forgiving others seventy times seven struck me.  You see, I have a few weaknesses that I struggle with--patience topping that list. I struggle with it more than a few times every day.  Even if I required repentance for my impatient acts only twice every day, I've already exceeded in one year 730 times needing forgiveness.  And that's an estimate provided only for easy calculation. Christ said we were only required 490.  And yet, those closest to me continue daily to forgive me of my faults and missteps, still loving me.

I believe in a God who loves me, who is a Being of flesh and bone who will forgive me as often as I come to Him, broken and contrite, prepared to try and be better.  Not to be perfect, but just to be better. My responsibility is to approach Him in prayer as often as possible to seek forgiveness for these mistakes, to take advantage of this freely extended gift, as often as required.

Today, I am grateful for repentance.  For eternal forgiveness.  For a plan that included our humanity, a plan that knew we would falter, and yet still wanted us to try.  I am grateful to a God in heaven that hears prayers, that loves me even though I still stumble and sin.  My God is a wounded God, One acquainted with grief, familiar with sorrow, and well-versed in consequence.  My God is a forgiving, kind God, One who loves unconditionally, forgives endlessly, and requires my will be in line with His.

Happy Thanksgiving.