Looking for the Atonement

The Atonement

If there is one topic that I love to learn about it is the Atonement. I have studied it many times and each time I am blessed with a little more understanding of the impact it can have on an individuals life. I am always impressed with the amount of love it took for Christ to finish the work that He had been sent here to do. I am equally impressed with the amount of love that is shown in each person who partakes of the healing power of the atonement. It is truly one of those situations where we are made strong in our weaknesses.

I have a dear friend who, when confronted with another person's sins, made this statement, "I hope to see the Atonement at work in their lives." I loved that statement and had thought to myself that if I were to write about the atonement that it would be a great starting point. Unfortunately, when Easter came and the topic of the atonement was at the fore front of my mind, I found myself distracted by the topic of Mary and the Atonement. This too is a great topic, but it was not what I was to write about. I was struggling to write my blog, the words just wouldn't flow. Then I had lunch with my friend and she made the same statement again and it brought about one of those cartoon moments, you know the one I'm talking about, when the light bulb appears over the characters head. I knew what I had to do. How grateful I am for the kind heart of my friend!

I was set. I would spend the next week looking for examples of the atonement at work in the lives of the people around me. Then I would write about what I had observed. I prayed each day that the Lord would bless me with the eyes to see the atonement in those that I came in contact with. I don't think I fully understood what this week would do for me personally. I have been truly blessed this last week to see the blessings of the atonement in so many ways and to reflect on how much the atonement means to me.

Two Sisters
Two ladies came into the distribution center smiling and laughing. It was obvious from the first moment you saw them that they were best friends. They teased each other, laughed together, and even finished each others sentences. One of the ladies said, "If you couldn't tell we are sisters." Although their appearances were quite different, their sisterly bond was easily recognizable. I asked if they had always been so close. Their reply was a great lesson for me in the power of the atonement.

They had not always liked each other, in fact, there had been many struggles for forgiveness between them. There were many missed moments because of the things that they had used to build walls around them. However, in their journey together they came to realize that they needed each other and that life was just too hard without the other. So they "chose each other" over anger and bitterness. What a great way to think about forgiveness! They each repented and have moved forward with their relationship ever since.

I pondered that statement over the week and how it could apply to me. It was a reminder that when I choose to apply the atonement in my own life I am choosing the Lord over my sins. But more importantly, I need to remember to move forward with my relationship with God. Just as these two sisters have worked on their relationship with the each other I need to put effort into building a stronger relationship with God so that I too can smile at, laugh with, and think like the Lord. I too find that life is just too hard without Him!

The Couple
A couple came in for last minute preparations for their sealing and as usual I congratulated them. It was obvious that they were very excited about this amazing event that was about to change their lives. As I was helping them, they begin to share with me why this day meant so much to them. Their story touched my heart.

They had been married in a civil ceremony "four kids ago" is how she described it. It had not started the way she had dreamed of as a little girl, she was pregnant with their first child and so they got married. She had been raised in the church, but had fallen away as a teenager. As their family grew, she began to feel like they needed to teach their children about God. So she talked with her Bishop, started the repentance process, and began taking her family to church. Her husband had not wanted to attend at first, and would not attend the church for years.

Then one day he decided to try it. He told her that it was because he had seen the change in her and the kids and wanted to see what it would do for him. Soon he was taking the missionary discussions and was baptized, which led them to be with me on this particular day. They had been working on getting their lives in order and preparing for their temple sealing for 10 years. She had tears in her eyes as she expressed the joy that she was feeling. Her husband wrapped his arms around her, gently kissed her head, and whispered that he loved her. It was obvious that this had been a long, hard journey for them, but one that they both wanted to share with each other. As they left, I couldn't help but think about how this sweet family was going to be blessed because of their mother's desire to partake of the atonement.

Their story made me think about how powerful the atonement is and the hope it brings to peoples lives. Without the atonement they would have been stagnant, unable to repent and progress. Instead, this couple and their children will now have the blessing of being an eternal family. There is no end to the blessings of the atonement!

The Alcoholic
My last story is that of a man who has had to overcome an addiction to alcohol. When I asked for his recommend he opened his wallet to pull it out and realized that his AA card was placed on top of it. He seemed embarrassed, even though I didn't say a thing. I'm not sure why, but he felt like he needed to explain himself, so he told me his story.

He had developed a taste for alcohol in his younger years and found himself an alcoholic in his late twenties. He struggled with his marriage, keeping jobs, and at one point had lost everything he had ever loved. When he thought he had hit the lowest point possible, two young missionaries from the church would visit him and teach him about the gospel. What they had to say touched his heart and he knew that he needed to get help. He was introduced to the Bishop and found a great friend in this man. Together they would work through the repentance process and get him the needed help for his addiction. He looked at me with a sense of pride as he said, "I have been alcohol-free for over 20 years."

I felt that I needed to let him know that I did not judge him, but that I was very grateful that he had shared his story of the atonement at work in his life. I have never suffered from an addiction, so I can only testify to the damage it causes in someone else's life from witnessing it in the lives of my friends and loved ones. His story strengthened my belief that all things can be overcome through Christ and I appreciated his openness. He hugged me, said thanks for listening, and waved as the door closed behind him. I hope he comes to visit again.

What a great week of looking for the atonement! By the end of the week I was feeling once again spiritually filled and able to deal with life's problems with a clearer view of what is important and what is not. I had been the recipient of many of these wonderful moments and felt like the Lord had put each one of these people in my life to lift me up. I am acutely aware that I found these moments because I was ACTIVELY LOOKING for them. I had let the world get in the way of seeing the atonement in my own life, so it was a ginormous blessing from the Lord to see it in the lives of those around me. A kick in the pants to help me get my perspective back.

I went back to the scriptures and read John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." There is such power in these words. I hope you will take the time this week to look for the atonement at work in your life and if you don't see it there, just take a look around you!