Willingness to Forgive

“The willingness to forgive is a sign of spiritual and emotional maturity. It is one of the great virtues to which we all should aspire. Imagine a world filled with individuals willing both to apologize and to accept an apology. Is there any problem that could not be solved among people who possessed the humility and largeness of spirit and soul to do either -- or both -- when needed?” 
― Gordon B. Hinckley, Standing for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes

President Hinckley has so many wonderful, thought provoking and to the point insights......This one seems to call to me.....because it is something I have been working on before I came back to church 7 years ago. It has been a struggle for me. As I progress in my knowledge and understanding of the Gospel, I do find it less of a struggle..albeit...small, baby steps...but less of a struggle. I progress and forgive and I find my personal growth magnifies....I find that remarkable!
Precept by precept, line by line, step by step; my spiritual growth increases. My past is full of pain, anguish and struggle. Some I had no control over, some were mistakes I made as a young adult. Fully realizing the power of The Atonement will take a lifetime for me. But as I make my slow but sure progress, the willingness to forgive increases. The power of my past is slowly losing it's hold on me.
I reflect upon my progress....some days, I feel like I am on the way...no one can stop me. Other days, it feels like I have slipped and lost my footing. I find myself leaning more and more on Heavenly Father. And part of that progress is letting go of the past and forgiving so I can move on, so I can progress, so I can have a more pure heart. So I can be more of what Heavenly Father wants me to be.
It is a struggle, I struggle every day but it is a struggle worthwhile to conquer.
Kathy