Repentence

It's Thursday night, my favorite night of the week because I get to babysit. Today was a rough day, my best friend had a seizure and needed me for some support. It was a hard thing for me to watch the after affects, so I can't even imagine feeling the pain from his perspective. I left him in time to get to the house where I sit. I walked in and all was well. It was a pretty normal night. We played some games and the kids were fine.

It came time for bed, and the 7 year old, M, had the normal resistance, but a bit of persuasion and compromise got her moving towards pajamas. However, the 10 year old, P, was having some deeper issues. He was angry, yelling and confrontational. I had never seen him like this and he kept insisting nothing was wrong. I had him get ready for bed, but gave him a few minutes alone while I helped M. 

I came back down and asked him calmly if everything was really okay. He bit my head off with his reply of yes. "I'm fine Kara." Then M came bounding happily down the stairs so we could say prayers. I offered the prayer tonight as P wasn't feeling it, and M kept trying to pawn it off on me anyways. After the prayer was over all I managed to get out of P was that he had a bad day and was grumpy and tired so to leave him alone. I turned out his light and took M upstairs to read a story and tuck her in. 

After M was taken care of, I checked in on P. His light was back on and he was reading a book. I told him I was sorry his day hadn't gone well and told him I hadn't had the best day either. He asked why and I explained the situation. He looked at me for a second and said, "I said the 'G' word today." I told him I was sorry. He told me how horrible he felt inside. I asked if he had told his parents, he had told his mom but he was afraid of his dad's anger. I mentioned that if his dad did get angry, it was only out of love. 

I then told P that the most important person to tell was Heavenly Father and that if he asked for forgiveness, Heavenly Father would forgive him. P said he knew that, but he just couldn't get it out of his head. I said, well that's why we have the atonement. Jesus Christ died so that our sins could be forgiven us. He nodded his agreement. I wished him a goodnight and told him that if he needed to talk anymore he could come talk to me. 

I was sitting in the family room and about 20 minutes later, P came into the room. I looked at him and asked what was up. He replied, "I think Heavenly Father forgave me." I asked how he knew. "I can feel it" he said. We talked about that and the peace that he was now feeling from the whole situation. I then wished him goodnight again. He started to walk out of the room, but turned and told me he was sorry about my friend. I was now full of feeling and said, "it'll be all right, Heavenly Father loves him. He is looking out for him." P agreed and said, "I know He is." The spirit was so strong in that room. I felt my emotions come on strong as he walked to his room. 

Later I recounted the story to his mom. It was amazing to the feel the same spirit carried over to this boys mother. I know that Heavenly Father loves us and is looking to forgive us. We just have to ask with a willing heart. His love for us is overflowing and he likes to make it manifest in all He does. He often shows us that love through others, and tonight I was shown through a 10 year old boys simple testimony. I know this gospel is true. And that Christ atoned for our sins. He is there for us to lean on in our trials and hard times. He loves us and did everything for us. I feel His love for me even now. I love you my Father in Heaven and my Savior who died for me.