Forgetting to ASK for forgiveness

Once upon a time, I did not handle a situation very well.

I was speaking with a friend, and the conversation got a little heated.

I thought that I was doing the right thing in the way I acted and the things I said, but it threw a huge wedge between us.

Over the next couple of years, I matured a lot and discovered why I had reacted completely inappropriately.

I was mortified at what I had done, and vowed to improve my communication skills.

I became so much better at communicating to everyone I came in contact with, with feeling clean emotions instead of hiding my true feelings…

I had totally changed.

I knew I had been so wrong, and now I had repented and become so much better.

And then, one day, a few years later, I was speaking to that same friend.

The same topic came up that we had previously argued about, but this time I handled it with maturity and finesse.

And then I mentioned, “I’m so glad we can talk about this now, because I was so immature with how I responded the last time we had this conversation!”

And my friend said, “Really? I didn’t know you felt that way!” And a big sigh of relief crossed their face.

My friend had NO IDEA that I was thoroughly embarrassed for how I had acted before.

They had NO CLUE that I had worked on self-development and pled with the Lord to repent for my pride and stubbornness.

In their mind, I did what I did, I thought I was right, and I still held a grudge against them for that conversation.

Part of repentance means communicating with the people you have wronged.

And it’s a step I skip far too often, mostly on accident, to be honest.

Alma implored Corianton to turn his heart to the Lord, and then return and apologize to the Zoramites that he had led astray.

We don’t get any record of what Corianton did, but since he lived such a righteous life for the rest of his days, I’m assuming he swallowed his pride and took his father’s advice – speaking to all of the Zoramites he had wronged or offended.

Only the Savior can truly take away the sting of sin, but we need to do our part to ease the burden.

Return, and acknowledge.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black