Thoughts on the Atonement

So this post is mainly for me :) I am supposed to writing this in a journal but I am the world's worst journal keeper. In fact I started a blog so I could feel better about "keeping" a journal. I figure if I keep my blog updated it's like a journal that I can leave behind right??

In my last church ward, I worked with the Young Women and I started the Personal Progress program with them, since it has changed since I was a teenager. Well during the move I lost my book but I found it yesterday!

I decided to do a value experience on Faith. I was asked to read a bunch of scriptures and share my feelings. I know that my savior loves me and the most important thing he did was to atone for our sins and make it possible for us to return to live with our Father in Heaven someday. I was reading in Isaiah 53 and these verses really touched me:

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

I feel so strongly that I don't think I will ever fully understand the full burden He was asked to bear. I know that I make plenty of mistakes and that just like me, He Feels the hurt, disappointment, anger, bitterness etc that comes with the poor choices I make. I know that the way I can make sure His sacrifice will not be in vain is to be more like Him. There are always a list a mile long of the things I need to improve on. However one thing really stood out to me in this verse:

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

If He can find it within Himself to keep his mouth closed and not rebuke others when he was being whipped and put to death...Then I can definitely keep my mouth shut concerning petty day to day things. The thing is I know that it is so much easier said than done. I get so wrapped up in the small things and if I were to just take a step back and look at the eternal purpose of my life, it would be so easy for me to let the stupid things go. I like to be right and have the last say, but that is not going to draw me closer to the Savior. Having Him near is important that it is something that I need at this time in my life especially. I hope we can all resolve to work a little harder to be kinder in our words and love those around us. Have a great day and stay tuned for November and December!