Confessions from the Gym

I went to the gym the other day, which in and of itself was a triumph after over two months of avoiding it. The movie that was playing in the Cardio Cinema was Forever Strong. I love that movie, for many reasons. As I sat watching it, I thought about what it would be like to be part of a team that loves me as those boys loved Rick. He was an outcast, by all accounts an enemy, having previously played for the rival team. He was in their neck of the woods due to erratic and irresponsible behavior. They didn't have to show him the love and respect they did. But they did. And I started to wonder why. It was then the words to one of my favorite songs popped into my head. It's called Perfect Love, by Felicia Sorensen:

Perfect love, purest love 
Breaking through my anguish
Precious love, endless love
His love never fails me

And I realized that kind of love was what those boys were exhibiting. How often do we get to experience that? Love in spite of our faults. Love that causes us to want to be better. Have you ever experienced that kind of love? I realized that day that I have, and that I am. Eight months ago I started attending meetings for the Addiction Recovery Program, sponsored by LDS Family Services. And I have never felt love like that before in my life. The women I am privileged to meet on a weekly basis love me. I don't understand why or how, but I now know that they do. They love me because they understand something very fundamental about life: nobody is perfect, but we can all strive together to become so. Theirs is a perfect love. And so, I echo Alma, "If ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now (Alma 5:26)?"

I never thought to be able to say that I have done just that. But I submit to you now that I have sung the song of redeeming love for the first time. I may have felt a fraction before, but I never comprehended the full import of what it means to be loved by Heavenly Father. His love is all-reaching, all consuming and all-encompassing. All other love stems from this love. When we feel love for our fellow men, it is only by the grace of God.

Christ Himself taught us how to love, both those who accept it and those who don't. It is He who payed the ultimate price, making it possible for us to feel love. Without His great, last and everlasting sacrifice, we would know nothing of love.

This wonderful gift came from God. It came on His terms, in words I would understand and at the right time. He also gave me a quiet place to enjoy and contemplate it. Once again, all these things worked for my good.

I know that Christ lives, that He loves us, and is waiting with open arms to show us, as soon as we open our hearts. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that he restored these wonderful truths to bless our lives. I know that if we strive to do what is right, we can't go wrong.