Knitting, Writing and the Atonement....

 As a knitter, there have been many times when I have had to rip out my work: sometimes a few stitches-sometimes many rows or even the entire project because of mistakes made while knitting.  A stitch may have been made in the wrong place, or my count may have been off, perhaps even by only a stitch or two.  However several rows later when increases or decreases have been made, this can make a huge difference so I rip the work out...I call it frogging it..and begin again.

While in school, I took a writing class to help me write better papers.  This became more important the farther I went in collage.  This process began with research and usually a thesis statement, then a rough draft...or a first writing.  After the rough draft, I would usually let the paper sort of sit a day or two, and for lack of a better word, marinate in my brain a bit.  Then came the revisions.  Sometimes I would only revise my papers once and feel that all was well and it was ready to be turned in.  Other times I would agonize over the paper, looking for more quotes and doing more research before the final rewrite.  In both instances I received good grades for my writing and I was pleased. 

I was reading my scriptures, pondering the topic of the atonement when the thought came to me that like my knitting and writing, our Savior gives us a chance to revise or rip out our mistakes through repentance.  He blesses our lives by being there...right beside us, directing our paths.  There is no pain that he does not understand.  No illness that he cannot comprehend.  He has been there.  He knows!  Because He knows, and because He has paid the price, we can return to our Heavenly Father and live again.  But the atonement isn't just for the future.  It is for right now.  It is for everyday.  I know that my Savior lives.  He lifts me up with I am down.  He walks beside me and helps me through my everyday, ordinary things and blesses me with miracles each and every day.