The Rock and the Hard spot

I remember as a very young girl the guilt that went through my entire being because I had taken something that didn’t belong to me.  I didn’t know at the time why I had that feeling but I didn’t like it.  I had been taught the teachings of Jesus Christ, yet I blew it.  I hadn’t planned on taking something that didn’t belong to me: I just did.  And my pain was worse than when I was hit in the head with a rock a few months previous.

It wasn’t for several days that I decided to confessed.  It was so hard; I knew my parents would be so disappointed in me.  But I had to get rid of that pain that seemed to worsen hour by hour.  I really didn’t understand repentance at that young age, I just had hope that I could feel better again.  And I did. A feeling of peace covered my entire body.  It was a great lesson I learned.  My parents forgave me and the emotions I had stored up in those few days dissipated. 

Fast forward many years,  I still made mistakes but from that first experience I learned to recognize my dependence on the Holy Ghost and when the guilt begins, I need to repent immediately.  The longer I put it off the more miserable I am. 

As painful as that lesson was at that tender age I will always be grateful,  for I was rescued from a lifetime of feeling unworthy.  Repentance is powerful!  It works over and over again.