Reborn

It is a really beautiful process to be reborn. In my life, I have felt like two big events in my life led to an acceleration of my rebirth or "becoming a new creature in Christ." First was when I got married to Ben. He opened my eyes to a different way to interact with the world-- a kinder, more confident way. It changed my behavior, my thought patterns about myself, and how I thought about and treated others. The second big event was when my two oldest brothers left the Church. It left me with a stronger resolve to love others with the pure love of Jesus Christ, and act more like Him in every way. 

Neither experience was an easy transition for me. In the first one, I fought against the change, somedays letting my pride rule, or other days feeling sad and frustrated that I needed to do things differently. But slowly, I softened, and let the change in. In the second one, there was so much sadness and pain it acted as a catalyst to the strong resolve that grew, and grew in me an ever vigilant attention to do things differently than I had in the past.

It is often said that you can allow hard things to make you bitter or you can allow them to make you better. The growth from hard things, when you let it in, changes your very nature and the attributes you are known for. During these "rebirth" experiences, I came to have a personal one-on-one relationship with Jesus Christ.

As you grow into this relationship, you come to feel this dependence and familiarity with Jesus. It's beautiful to see others grow in this same process. People you have known for many years suddenly start to speak of him in a devoted and intimate way. "Oh," you say, "so you know him too?" Both of you different. Both of you changed, reborn.

I mentioned two big events in my life that led to change, but there are many small incremental changes happening every week, and every day. Each Sunday taking the Sacrament, and having a chance to be reborn once again. And reborn again, and reborn again, and reborn again. "Till we all come in the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ," "perfect, complete, and whole."