Feast of Gratitude

Recently I said to my family, “If I cannot be happy, then it is not possible for anyone on earth to be happy."  I am blessed with faith, family and eternal blessings.  For me to be ungrateful would be a sin. 

And so, as part of my Thanksgiving feast, I give thanks to my Father in Heaven for his delicious plan of happiness, my Savior, and the opportunity to be a part of his kingdom on earth.  I have tasted the sweet savor of the Atonement and partaken of the beauty and covenants of the temple.  

I have been given heaping servings of love from my family.  Other delicious delicacies that are part of my feast are freedom, education, transportation, communication, health and property.  Next to me is the companionship of the Holy Ghost.  And the table keeps enlarging with more and more to partake, so much that it cannot be taken in, and I am left to sit and stare at dishes filled to overflowing.

A Lesson in Forgiveness

Each Sunday I help teach the Sunbeams, a small class of children, 3-4 years old.  They are wiggly, emotional and loving.  They copy everything I, and another sister in the ward, do and say.  They are delightful to watch.  I enjoy small moments when one plays with my bracelet, or another snuggles close.  I feel the profound responsibility to help teach correct and true principles to newly forming minds and spirits.

Last week I taught a lesson on forgiveness.  I shared with them the story of how Jesus forgave those who were putting nails in his hands and feet, while being crucified.  Then we talked about ways someone might hurt us, and we practiced saying "I'm sorry", and "I forgive you".   The lesson has stayed on my mind all week, and this morning I realized the most important part of forgiveness, which I neglected to teach.

Recently, I felt hurt by the actions of someone else.  I withdrew emotionally and wanted them to be sorry for what they had done.  I was waiting for them to apologize to me.  Now, I recognize the fallacy of my understanding.  It seems that I am learning this for the first time, after so many years of life.  Have I ever truly practiced and understood the power of forgiveness?

So, here is what I am learning.  Forgiveness is an action exercised by one person, independent of anyone or anything else.  It does not require a decision on the part of anyone other than the one doing the forgiving.  It is a power I can experience whenever I choose.  For me, forgiveness is first an act of sorrow, as I experience the pain of intentional or unintentional harm.  Then, by not seeking revenge and harm on the perpetrator, but instead praying for their welfare, I experience healing and ultimately joy, as the weight of ill feelings is replaced by peace and love.  I can't change the other person, or expect them to understand or feel what I want them to feel.  I only have power to pray to let go of the hurt, and love  and accept that they are who they are, and love myself enough to let Christ take away the pain.

To me, this is one of the greatest gifts of the atonement of Jesus Christ.  Life and light replaces darkness.  I feel my spirit and soul restored.  Now, I can separate my own actions from the actions of others, and therefore, I am not responsible for their choices.  I become accountable to God, for what is in my own heart, and this frees me from the sins and burdens of others.  It restores love, peace and joy, and allows my life to move forward, rather than get stuck in the past.

I am grateful for the simple truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ and for his example of perfect forgiveness and love.  I am grateful to experience forgiveness toward others.  I am grateful for the forgiveness my Savior and others grant me.  This morning my heart feels light again, His light.  And I hope I will choose to forgive again, only more quickly, the next time.

Pattern - Poem

Pattern -

Thank you

     for leaving the garden,

     safety and security

     welcoming children

     heartache and difficulty

 

     for accepting labor

     blood, sweat and pain

     calling on God

     again and again

     for accepting agency

     grieving lost children

     establishing family

     setting righteous pattern

     for building an altar

     symbol to remember

     and introducing

     Christ’s atonement and forever

By Janice Harten

July 28, 2008
Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

White Linen - Poem

White Linen

Twisted olive tree steadies a writhing soul

As red blood-drops, moisten the ground below

Sleeping friends unknowingly abandon one

Who is suffering beyond what mortal has done

Scourging and thorns punish innocent flesh

Cobbled stones carry their creator’s final step

Crucifix sign declares, ‘King of the Jews’

Permanent mark of nails, pierce hands and feet through

“Father, forgive them,” is perfect love’s reply

As the tormentors, his brothers, mock nearby

Finally, he calls, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani”

My God, my God, Why hast thou forsaken me?

Alone, he submits, choosing mortal death

To his Father in Heaven he commends his spirit

Earth shudders and mourns for its Lord of creation

As humanity, as foretold, their Savior they’ve forsaken

Body lays, carefully wrapped, in a borrowed tomb

Stone rolled, and guards the sacred Garden room

“In three days this temple, again, I will raise”

All who heard had not understood the prophetic phrase

White linen found lying in the sepulcher

The Savior’s bruised tabernacle no longer there

Women humbly ask where his body has been taken

Angels solemnly declare, “He is not here, for He is risen”

Having overcome the sins of the world

Making possible humankind’s wounds to be healed

Suffering all things from the beginning

That for the repentant, eternal life may be given

Having drunk out of the most bitter cup

That all mankind might be lifted up

Perfectly submitting to his Father’s will

Broken bread and clear water remind us still

By Janice Harten

Jan. 22, 2001

Copyright © 2012 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.