All opinions are always 100% honest and my own. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I also participate in: CJ Affiliate; eBay Partner Network; Rakuten Affiliate Network; ShareASale; Walmart Affiliate Program; independent affiliate networks.
One of my favorite conference talks was given by Shayne Bowen back in 2006. Because he states his message so well, I have included the link here:
The Atonement Can Clean, Reclaim, and Sanctify Our Lives
I must admit that there are many days that I feel like it is much more comfortable to dig up the garbage/mistakes of the past than it is to move forward in faith. Some days I have to walk with a prayer in my heart continuously to help me look forward and not back to forgive myself for my former faults and failings and to accept the rich goodness He wants me to enjoy.
God encourages me to move forward, the adversary encourages me to wallow in the garbage of the past and tries to convince me that I am too far gone. God sees my potential, the adversary wants me to stay mired in a self-induced pity party.
I don't have a huge “a-ha” to share here, but just wanted to reach out and say that some days I really struggle with this and if anyone else does, let's all hang tight and remember who we are, remember that we are truly loved, that we are good, and that the power of the atonement can buoy us up in moments when we feel not good enough and are tempted to dig up and wallow in the garbage of the past.
Alison Moore Smith is a 61-year-old entrepreneur who graduated from BYU in 1987. She has been (very happily) married to Samuel M. Smith for 40 years. They are parents of six incredible children and grandparents to two astounding grandsons. She is the author of The 7 Success Habits of Homeschoolers.
Thanks, Julie. This is a timely reminder for me.
Let’s hang tight together!
What amazes me is how things can suddenly pop in your head and bring it all back– then you sit there and think “How in the WORLD could I have done something SO stupid?” When I think of some of the really stupid choices I made, I’m baffled, because at the same time in my life, I also made some incredibly WISE decisions, and was very “steadfast and immovable” in many ways. So I’m left to wonder how I could be so stupid on the one hand, yet so strong and wise on the other. Go figure…. And what’s strange is how even when you know you’ve been forgiven of something– or when you’ve forgiven someone ELSE for something, how thinking about it can bring it all back to the surface. When that happens I just have to remind myself that it’s over and done, that I’ve been forgiven– or that I forgave– and I have to consciously put those thoughts out of my mind, and as you say– move forward.
Love that. So true. Had a great RS conference yesterday and the speaker was Brad Wilcox. He talked about this and the atonement and all. And the grace scripture: “after all we can do.”
He talked about each word in that phrase and how, to him, the only emphasis that makes sense it — after all WE can do. Not that we get grace AFTER we have clawed our way to the end of life. Not that we get it after we do it ALL ourselves. Not that we must do all we possible CAN do, which is pretty much be perfect. Not that we get it after we DO every single thing we are commanded. But that grace comes all the time as WE work with Christ.
It was a very interesting talk. Much to think about.