Tonight I was working on preparing a lesson for YW next Sunday on repentance.  I don't think I've meant to, but I think sometimes during these topics that are taught time after time that I space out and I don't really let it sink in. 

Tonight these phrases pierced my heart and I found myself in tears:

"Divine forgiveness is one of the sweetest fruits of the gospel, removing guilt and pain from our hearts and replacing them with joy and peace of conscience. Jesus declares, “Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?" “Repent … That I May Heal You” Neil L. Andersen

He's already there waiting for me and He wants so badly to heal me from all that I do wrong.  I can hear him pleading like a loving parent "won't you come, please?"


"For most, repentance is more a journey than a one-time event. It is not easy. To change is difficult. It requires running into the wind, swimming upstream. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”¹⁸ Repentance is turning away from some things, such as dishonesty, pride, anger, and impure thoughts, and turning toward other things, such as kindness, unselfishness, patience, and spirituality. It is “re-turning” toward God."
“Repent … That I May Heal You” Neil L. Andersen                         

I love the re-turning.  It's a constant task of turning again and again toward God; not just once but multiple times.  I am swimming upstream, but I'm not alone and I can change.  I can be better.

I'm grateful for my Savior and for his atoning sacrifice so that I can repent, so I can feel peace and joy in my heart. I'm grateful for the opportunity to change for the better.