This is me on December 22, 2011. I had just wrecked my bike on a busy road in Franklin, Tennessee.
Twelve days later, I looked like this—
Isn't it remarkable how quickly the human body can heal itself? For months I've reflected on this pivotal life experience. The seriousness of the injury is not what made this incident memorable; my cuts, scrapes and bruises really were rather minor. Instead, I call this experience pivotal because it deepened my understanding of the healing power of the atonement of Jesus Christ.
The Savior suffered every pain we have ever endured. The prophet Alma taught—
And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. (Alma 7:11)Physical pain is only part of the picture. Some of the most painful hues and gradients in our lives involve spiritual, mental and emotional deficiencies and damages. These wounds are often more difficult and take more time to heal.
But they will heal. As we earnestly seek for love and mercy, help and healing, hope and motivation, the Savior through His infinite atonement will heal our broken hearts. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland explained—
[H]owever late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines. [T]here is nothing...that you have done that cannot be undone. There is no problem which you cannot overcome. There is no dream that in the unfolding of time and eternity cannot yet be realized.MORE ONLINE
Where Can I Turn for Peace?, Hymns #129
The Merciful Obtain Mercy, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality, Elder David A. Bednar
Beautiful. This is my favorite number so far because it encompasses what makes the restored gospel so important. This mortal probation is full of so much heart ache, physical pain, emotional distress and overall misery, but nothing is too out of reach from the healing power of Christ's infinite Atonement.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. The power of the Atonement is remarkable. Both the redeeming and enabling power of the Atonement is such a wonderful thing. I have be able to experience the strength that comes from the enabling power of the Atonement and I am so grateful for it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Angie and Karen, for your comments. Isn't it wonderful to know that Christ can heal any hurt and sorrow? Life would be so difficult without that knowledge. But with His love, anything is possible.
ReplyDelete