The Comfort of Grace

Yesterday morning on the radio, I heard somebody say that Mormons believe we are saved by works.  I was frustrated.  How could people believe that we Mormons think we are saved by works and not grace?  In The Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:23 says "It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."  Doesn't this scripture make it obvious that "after all we can do" we will still fall short?  I grumpily turned to a different station.

The rest of my day was spent doing good things.  I talked to my wonderful Mother.  I took Dan to lunch.  I made dinner -- a special dinner!  We celebrated Thursday of Easter week early because that's what worked with our schedule.  It turned out well.  We discussed the Sacrament, and why it is important, and helpful.  I spent time with Derek and the kids, did scripture time, and story time.

At the end of the day, I was tired, and had a headache, and instead of being happy with what I did, I was upset.  I had forgotten to do something for my sister-in-law.  I hadn't checked on Trisa who has been sick.  What kind of a Mom forgets to do that?  I was having an I'm not perfect yet pity party-- again.  I was doing what I too often do, and was feeling like my falling short of my expectations was the most awful thing ever, instead of the most normal thing ever.  I was forgetting the comfort of grace.

And then this morning, I was remembering my question about why people believe that Mormons think we are saved by works, and I realized that sometimes I act like that.  I get so upset when I feel like I haven't done enough, or that I have fallen short, when the whole time the Savior is there, having already atoned for my sins.  He is there ready and willing to help me with my shortcomings.  He is not condemning me, but loving me.  This morning, when I wasn't so tired, I remembered grace, and was comforted by it. 

* Picture by Del Parson, image from Google Images