Transformation

"For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God"-John 12:43

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The last church I was a member of, before the LDS church, was a transformation ministry church. Their mission was to "save" college kids. Meaning, to help them get to know Jesus Christ, give their life to him, and find a good church that they could develop Christ-like qualities... I am paraphrasing here, but it's hard to capture in a single blog how amazing that church is, and has/had been, in my life. It impacted me greatly, and helped me to understand the bible a little more.  Essentially, that church was a preparatory church for where I am today. My entire life really has been a transformation.

Think back to someone you knew from high school... someone you either loved or hated. Where are they today? Are they were you thought they would be? Do you still hang out with anyone from high school? If so, are they exactly the same? Have you had the chance to have a high school reunion? Or run into someone you have not seen in a very long time? Is that person the same exact person from 5, 10, 15, 20+ years ago?

What makes us change and transform? Some people claim we never change, the only thing that changes is our point of view, but isn't that a change? Even if it's only from the books we read and the people we meet? Think back to when you were 5 years old (or however far back you can think). Do you remember the class bully? Do you think he is still that way? I've watched my 7 year old brother play with other kids around his same age and noticed something special that, dare I say, most adults do not have: the ability to quickly forgive and forget. Kids would rather just play and have fun. Sure, they get their feelings hurt, but it's so much more fun to forgive and play then it is to sit and cry----or like adults do, point the finger, blame, gossip, and hurt some more. 

The greatest miracle humans have is the ability to forgive one another and forget. I'm not suggesting becoming a walking target that can be easily taken advantage of, God gave us whits for a reason. I'm talking about letting go of things that just keep hurting us more and more, over and over. We humans have these great fantastic minds and imaginations, but they are so many times put to bad, negative or improper use.    

I can think of countless times I have "let my mind go wiled" with imagination of bad things happening, in work and relationships. I'm guilty of suspecting an innocent person of lying to me. I've imagined worse case scenarios when it comes to what my test score might turn out to be (when I was in school), or what my sales might be like for the month, or *gasp* what would happen if my boyfriend found a better woman (which would never happen, fyi). 

So, as humans, we find it hard to forgive for many reasons, mostly because of made up stories in our head. I'm confident when I say we've all said the following in our head, if not out loud, "Well, she's wrong, and I'm right, so she should be the one asking for an apology and then I might forgive her." OR

 "If I apologize, that means I'd be admitting I was wrong, and I'm not the wrong one, I didn't do anything wrong, so I have nothing to apologize for.....they have to come around and apologize to me first, they were in the wrong, not me." OR

"I know I shouldn't have done/said that, but they started it, and therefor I was just in my actions. Besides, they were more wrong that I am."

----forgiveness with conditions that need to be met, that's what we have in the above situations----

I am reminded of two scriptures from the New Testament. One is from Matthew 23:12, "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." Another from Matthew 18: 21-22, "Then came Peter to him, and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said unto him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.""

As I understand it, there are some that read my blog that either do not have a faith or do not believe Jesus in our savoir. Some think religion is a crutch. Well, to those, this might not impact them as much (if at all). As for me, I love "my crutch," and will forever and ever. Jesus goes on to give a parable of forgiveness:

23¶Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would ^atake account of his ^bservants.

 24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

 25But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be ^asold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

 26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

 27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

 28But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him ^aan hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

 29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

 30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

 31So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very^asorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

 32Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that ^adebt, because thou desiredst me:

 33^aShouldest not thou also have had ^bcompassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had ^cpity on thee?

 34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.     UAdd a Note 

 35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts ^aforgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

I'm not sure why it aways surprises me that people have double standards. Some are so quick to judge and condemn others, but just as quick to forget when they were once in that position. 

"But MY situation is different"--- circumstances my be different, the debt may be higher or less, but it all comes back to the same ability we all possess, the ability to forgive. 

I believe the ability to forgive is what's in the heart of the transformation process. I was baptized into the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints almost 7 months ago. The change in my didn't happen over night, in fact, I'm still going through changes and will continue for years. No one changes over night, old habits are hard to break. But I have given up a lot of things and made a lot of life-style changes. I've had to sell, donate, or throw away half my stuff in order to start my new life out here in Utah. I've moved away from all of my family in the hopes of starting a new life out here. I thank the Lord for modern day communication that allows me to stay so connected with everyone. 

I will continue to believe there is good in people even when no one else can see it. I will continue to forgive those who some believe, "don't deserve it." 

I know I am a good person, even though I have not always made the right decisions at the right time. My heart is in the right place. It seems I have those who choose to believe lies that that have been spread about me because from their point of view, they believe they really happened. That's fine, I belive life is 10% what happens to us and 90% of how we react to what has happened to us. There is a reason I am living 100% on my own and not what and where some other person dictates. People will have their opinions, that's the great agency the Lord has given us: we can choose what we think and how we react. I choose to believe some people will never change unless they have something life altering happen to them which forces them to want to change.... and even then, that change happens slowly- I am a living testament to that! 

Why some people read this blog and some don't, I have no idea. I don't write hoping to capture a lot of readers or even change people---- there is a 99% chance no one's life is going to be drastically changes by what I write, so, truthfully, I write for me. :-) mostly because it's something I really enjoy and it helps me to think and ponder. Like the warning in my first (or second?) blog on this site, this blog is for me-but feel free to stop, ponder, and think with me. :) Complaints? Comments? Concerns? I welcome them all! (please, be PG-this is a public blog...for now). 

Forgive me if this blog makes little or no sense, I've had a lot on my mind tonight, and it's now 5am. Good think I can sleep in tomorrow-er-today. :-)