I love New Years!
There is something so exciting about the fresh start a new year brings. It is the perfect time to make resolutions and goals to improve your life. However, sometimes I get so excited about New Years that I spend months thinking about all the great changes I will make in January, as if it is the month of January itself that holds the power to change me.
This year, as I reflected on my goals for 2019 and planned my goals for 2020, I started thinking about where the power to change really does come from: The Savior. Because of the atonement of Jesus Christ we change our lives at any time through the process of repentance. We don’t have to wait for January and we don’t have to wait for something in our circumstances to change. With the Lord’s help, we can change now, and that change will be lasting.
One of my all-time favorite scriptures is D&C 58:42 which says “Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I the Lord, remember them no more.” Not only does Heavenly Father help us to overcome our sins, but he doesn’t remember them once we’ve repented. He sees us as the new and improved, post-repentance, best version of ourselves. A version that constantly updates as we continually repent, all throughout the year.
It’s January now so go ahead, make your resolutions and do your best to keep them. But if you slip up, or if you’re like me, when you slip up, remember that because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ there is no limit to the number of new beginnings we get to have.
