People often wonder if my husband knows about my blog posts. My husband encourages me to share our story if it will help heal others. He has true charity. If you have read my other blog posts you will know that does not mean that we pretend to be perfect. But does mean we are sinners who keep on trying!

In Shakespeare’s comedy, As You Like It one character, the older brother, plots to kill his younger brother. The younger brother discovers his older brothers intentions and decides to take a higher road and spares the older brothers life. When the older brother becomes aware of the compassion and love of his brother his heart changes.  Two women inquire of the older brother “Was’t you that did so oft contrive to kill [your brother]?”

The older brother answers, “’Twas I; but ’tis not I: I do not shame to tell you what I was, since my conversion so sweetly tastes, being the thing I am.”

I love the line “twas I; but tis not I.” I was that person. But I am now different. My past is true but it does not determine my future. I can choose change through my Saviour Jesus Christ.

Elder Renlund explained, “because of God’s mercy and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, such a change is not just literary fiction” (2015). It can truly happen. I believe this. I know it is true. I have witnessed it in my own life and  that of my family members.

I believe the words found in the first chapter of Isaiah verse eighteen

“let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

I believe in the healing of the atonement. That the deepest red can become brilliantly white.

But I want to give a shout out to my husband, Dave. He is full of charity that he allows me to share our story with who ever it may help or heal. That is why I am writing this blog. He encourages me to be “real” and to help others learn from our story. I am thankful for his honesty, kindness and authenticity. I am also grateful that he applies the “twas I; but tis not I” it’s a great example to me.