"That's Wonderful!"

This changed my life, in a moment of life changes.

Steven A. Cramer(LDS Author) tells a story about an individual trying to pick their life up after a myriad of self inflicted difficulties  This individual, during their repentance process, returns home only to be rejected and turned away.

Mr. Cramer was this individuals friend and confidant, he recalls the situation.

       "I had no idea what I could say that would ease [their] pain and give [them] the courage to continue forward with [their] repentance. But suddenly I heard words coming out of my mouth that I would never have dared to say on my own.

       "That's wonderful," I said. "I know it must have hurt you deeply, but I'm glad [they did] that to you."

       He was stunned. So was I.

       Silently and desperately I prayed, "Father, I don't understand. Why was it wonderful? Why did you put those words in my mouth?"

       The Lord gave me an answer that become, for my friend and me, a sacred learning experience.

       "It is wonderful," I heard myself say, "Because you now have a tiny taste of the pain and rejection Jesus Christ suffered. And because you have glimpsed this small portion of his infinite sorrow, you can have a bond of fellowship that will draw you to him with a special love and devotion."

Tears came to my eyes when I read this. It made so much sense to me. I realized I never understood why the Atonement could bring me comfort. I knew it had in the past but now I could understand why.

The Atonement doesn't remove the pain, sorrow, trial, aching, suffering, etc. etc., but instead brings us closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. On a more intimate level. So I realized something, my main goal, the one that drives my every day decisions in life, is to live again with my Father in Heaven. Exalted. And to do that I need to become more like my Savior. And if I come to know him better, the easier it will be to be like him. So, therefore would I not be grateful for opportunities that can strengthen my 'bond of fellowship' with him? 

Neal A Maxwell taught that patience is "a willingness... to watch the unfolding purposes of God with a sense of wonder and awe-- rather than pacing up and down within the cell of our circumstances." (Ensign, October, 1980)

I believe this all to be true. I've applied it. I've felt the comfort that comes from knowing that Jesus Christ, my Savior and Redeemer, has not only felt the pain I'm feeling but overcome it. And that with him I do not have to go the path alone. Because, he too has felt as I feel. Only worse.

I don't know everything. In fact I know very little. But what I do know is this. God is marvelous. And we have a Savior. Not just a Savior to save us from physical death and provide us a resurrection. But one that saves us everyday. From the small pains and the great sorrows. One that saves us from ourselves. Keeping us from becoming our own worst enemies. Aren't we all our worst critics?

Thank goodness for faith. Thank goodness for courage. Thank goodness for humility. Thank goodness for pain. Thank goodness for trials. Thank goodness for an Atonement.  

Dear Father,

Don't ever let me forget this principle. Please!

-Your daughter.