I Am Free

I was the tender age of 16 when I held a fiery grudge against a man who made my world very, very dark.

I took care of that grudge. 

I nourished it everyday. 

My flaming tongue wanted to shout a million things at him, but I couldn't.

Instead, I thought them. And I thought them often.

I was the tender age of 16 when I noticed my spirit was horrendously disfigured due to the

fiery grudge I so boldly grasped.

I had utterly destroyed myself more than this man destroyed me.

I did not want it anymore.

I did not want to feel fire in my chest every time I thought of him.

What I wanted most was to feel my Savior's forgiving arms around my foolish self.

And in time, I can humbly testify to you all that I was forgiven.

I went through my own Gethsemane.

It was terrible and exhausting and wonderful.

I was finally mended.

The scourging heat toward this man is extinguished. 

He taught me what if felt like to carry the draining burden of not extending forgiveness.

It is a load I never again desire to carry.

The savior wants to forgive us of our sins.

He desires to bring us home.

The Atonement is possible. My pinky promises! It is possible.

But without Him, nothing is.

Only repentance can heal what hurts the most.

I am no longer hurting.

I am dancing and laughing and skipping because I am free.

He freed me, and He can free you too.