Atonement of Jesus Christ

A New Heart Through Repentance

/ Christine Maynor / Leave a comment

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My Daily Musings-October 23rd, 2026

“We often think of repentance as staining a shirt and putting it into the laundry to try to get it clean again. It’s more like getting a new shirt every time. Instead of making our hearts clean, we are actually given a new heart.”

I heard this from the Like a Rock podcast recently. I had never thought about repentance this way before, but it really resonated with me. I believe this to be true. We all make mistakes, and we fail so often. We might feel discouraged and overwhelmed by our many shortcomings that we wonder if we can ever change. I have felt like this many times, especially recently. It’s hard to change my natural reactions to things around me. I have learned over the last few years that I cannot control what other people do, but I can choose how I react to it.

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane for all of our sins, shortcomings, and weaknesses. Because of Him, there is always hope for us to grow and change our behavior. I love that this quote tells us that when we repent and try to change, it feels like we get a new heart that is willing to follow Him. No one is going to be perfect in this life, and we will mess up again. There is hope, and we get another chance every time because of Jesus.

I think it’s amazing that our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He knew we would make mistakes, and He gave us the incredible gift of His Beloved Son. Through Jesus, there is a way for us to change and find our way back to our Heavenly Father after this mortal life.

When you struggle with the same mistakes or reactions, what helps you remember that Jesus Christ offers you hope and another chance to change?

Enjoyed this piece? Click here to read more in the series, or visit the main blog to explore more reflections.

Help in Our Hardest Moments

/ Christine Maynor / Leave a comment

Thank you for subscribing-may these words bring a quiet moment of peace and reflection to your day.

My Daily Musings-August 11th, 2026

I loved these verses in Luke 22:42-43 as Jesus is suffering for us in the Garden of Gethsemane.

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

Normally we focus on verse 42 and not verse 43. Verse 42 is definitely important because it tells us that even though Jesus knew He needed to complete the mission His Father had prepared Him for, He still struggled because it was so hard and painful for Him.

Verse 43 is also important because an angel came to Jesus and strengthened Him to finish the Atonement. This shows me that angels will be sent to strengthen me in my trials as well. I have always believed that my Heavenly Father will help me and strengthen me, but knowing that angels are sent to help me really makes me feel loved and cared for.

He will send angels to help each one of you as well, especially when you are going through hard trials.

Have you ever felt strengthened by God during a difficult trial? Have you ever felt that someone was sent into your life at just the right time to help you through a difficult experience?

The Reach of Redeeming Love

/ Christine Maynor / Leave a comment

Thank you for subscribing-may these words bring a quiet moment of peace and reflection to your day.

Backstory:
After a deeply meaningful Holy Week, I came across a quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland that changed the way I see the Crucifixion. He described the Savior’s outstretched arms not only as a symbol of His suffering, but as an open, eternal invitation to all of us. That image stayed with me—especially in my own moments of weakness and struggle. This writing grew out of that reflection, as I considered what it means that His arms are still reaching for me, for you, for everyone.

The Reach of Redeeming Love

Our Savior, Jesus Christ during His mortal ministry here,
Always had compassion on everyone and held them all dear.
He healed the lepers even though others looked down on them,
And He met with the sinner and with all men.

Then, Jesus with His amazing love for everyone
In the Garden, suffered for us 'til it was done.
He was bruised, spit upon and beaten
Then He was nailed to the cross without good reason.

His arms are always outstretched and open
To receive every one of us even if we feel broken.
We can individually go to Him and feel His embrace
Whenever we need hope and to feel His grace.

It doesn’t matter to Him what we have done wrong
When we go to Him, He can help our heart feel strong.
Because He has felt our every pain,
Only He knows how to shield us from life’s pouring rain.

So, if you ever feel lost and alone,
And like your worries and cares are a weight all your own.
Just go to your Savior, Jesus Christ
For you and for me, He paid the Ultimate Price.

The Takeaway: No matter where we are, how we feel, or what we carry, the Savior’s love is constant and personal. His arms are always open—wide enough to meet us in our pain, strong enough to lift us, and gentle enough to remind us that we are never alone.