Wisdom in Mending Fences and Relationships

Grandma Betty (McIntire) would tell the story about her father going out into the winter day around New Year's and mend the fences on their property when she was a child.

It happens--Here are several illustrations of the literal meaning mending fences.



She tells of how symbolically it is always a good thing to keep your fences in good repair, whether it is a physical fence or a relationship fence. We sometimes have occasions arise when we don't always see eye to eye and tension turns to contention so easily without one even knowing it until it is too late. A division is created and I know Heavenly Father gave us his son, Jesus Christ to bless us through the atonement to mend those fences with his unconditional love. It take our own humble feelings to bring us to our knees and know I can do it with his blood already shed for me.

Forgive one another your trespasses. . . "and ask in sincerity of heart that God will forgive you." Moroni 6:8

"I say unto you. . . as you have forgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, the Lord forgive you."
Doctrine & Covenants 82:1






May be find ways to let the pure love of Christ heal us of all our wounds, and hurts to quickly forgive one another as he forgives us.I look forward each week to partake of the sacrament and renew my covenants, and ask for a broken heart and contrite spirit.

Lessons We Learn

As much as I don't want this to sound editorialized, it probably will. Our sacrament meeting was a high point speaker given by our Bishop Jim Payne. He has averaged speaking about once a month, sometimes twice. No matter. He gets to the point and the content of his talked really gave me food for thought.

So I ask forgiveness up front if I apply it to myself and my family.

Life is to be lived in the moment. Life is too short to carry grudges or to let incidents fester into our minds to cancor (sic) the soul over what we believe are someone else's faults. I know I have heard that analogy before so insert it here for what it is worth. I know I fall short sometimes and I know the Savior's love for me helps me get through the forgiving part toward others.

We cannot forgive others alone nor do it on our own. It is a gift of the atonement from the Savior and I know the Savior suffered the pains of our illnesses (infirmities) and our sins which caused Him to bleed from every pore. He was sinless, yet he was the sacrifice to redeem us all. I am thankful for his great love for each of us.

I am reminded of the Doctrine & Covenants, section 121. The tribulation in our lives are but a moment, and gives us experience. Nevertheless, the way we learn to overcome ourselves is to have the pure love of Christ when we feel the need to judge others. I have found that judging someone else opens me up for that same trial. Believe me. It is not worth the stress to experience someone else's pain for having been judgmental. I look back at some of my trials and know the source. The older I am, the wiser I become, although I have not reached perfection yet.

I pray that each of us can have compassion for others in their struggles instead of being quick to judge. We never know the entire story inside out. Only God does, and I leave the judgment to Him. The more I forgive, the more I am forgiven. It is a beautiful concept and want to be on the Lord's side when it comes to judging.

July 7, 1988 after Anita's funeral. A rare picture and last time we were altogether alive as family. I know we will be together again some day, and be reunited with my younger brother, Albert.

I want to only have love in my heart for everyone and be understanding without judgment. I learned from the example of my parents and pray my children will learn from me.