create in me a clean heart-Psalm 51

The Raising of the Cross by Rembrandt 

The words of David's repentance are beautiful and teach us just how it's done. David showed gratitude to God and His mercy Psalm 51:1. When David acknowledged his own sinfulness, he took the first step towards repentance (Psalm 51:1–3). It is important to recognize our own sinfulness, when we repent, because we cannot be sorry for something we refuse to admit. David demonstrated that we must sacrifice our pride and selfishness in order to receive forgiveness of our sins Psalm 51:16–17. We must go to God with “a broken and a contrite heart”, meaning we must become humble and sorry for our actions. After God forgives us, and it is so sweet, we loose the dread of having our sins “ever before [us]” and our hearts become clean Psalm 51:3, Psalm 51:10; Alma 36:17–19) We have the comfort in knowing that God will not remember our sins, although society may refuse to forget. That's one of the consequences of sin.  Psalm 51:9; Isaiah 43:25; D&C 58:42.) David's beautiful words paint a picture of cleansing (Psalm 51:1–2, 7, 9–10), restoration (Psalm 51:12), deliverance (Psalm 51:14). I'm so grateful for the miracle of forgiveness. I have made mistakes in my life--none as great as David---but nevertheless they were sins in the sight of God. Through repentance I was able to remove the awful weight of my poor choices. I was able to begin again. I'm so grateful to God for this divine plan to save us from ourselves. Even daily we can kneel in prayer, confessing little and big wrongs and asking the Lord's pardon. 

In the painting above, Rembrandt painted himself helping to raise the cross. This painting made a great impact on my thinking. Every time I choose to speak unkindly, gossip, or worse, I, like Rembrandt, see myself raising Jesus up. I caused some of that horrible suffering on the Cross and in the Garden. Since this is so, I must choose to avail myself to the miraculous healing power of this atonement and not turn my back on the Savior's gift. We all must get down on our knees, acknowledge the greatness of God, confess our sins, beg pardon, and seek to forsake them.

On another note, I'm finally well again. WooHoo! May and June were hard for me with that crazy pneumonia and recovery. For the last week, I worked in the garden a few hours per day with no soreness and no fatigue. I'm back to sleeping only 6-8 hours. The best part of all is that I feel wonderful; I feel happy! God is so good to grant me this relief and blessing. Life is good--God is great!