Softly and Tenderly

So, today I am grateful for a beautiful song called "Softly and Tenderly" which was apparently sung at the funeral of Martin Luther King.  The words are worth contemplating and I just wanted to write them here. 

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,


Calling for you and for me;

See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,

Watching for you and for me.


Come home, come home,

You who are weary, come home;

Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,

Calling, O sinner, come home!
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Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,

Pleading for you and for me?

Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,

Mercies for you and for me?

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Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,

Passing from you and from me;

Shadows are gathering, death's night is coming,

Coming for you and for me.
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O for the wonderful love He has promised,

Promised for you and for me!

Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,

Pardon for you and for me.

Come home, come home,


You who are weary, come home;

Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,

Calling, O sinner, come home!
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So these words echo some things I have been reading and listening to recently which have really helped me have a better understanding and perspective of the nature of God and of our Savior's infinite love for us.
One of the books I have been reading is by Glenn Beck "The 7 Wonders That Will Change Your Life" in which his personal life stories help illustrate the tender mercies of the Lord in his life and the ways God kept calling to him, and showing him "bread crumbs" to follow to help him get on the path to a happier life through faith in the Lord.  I just love this imagery of clues being left for him to follow to find happiness in his life.  I have just taken some time to really think about my own life and I can see the ways that the Lord has done the same thing figuratively for me personally.  I am just amazed when I see the ways he guides me. 
Another great blessing for me has been the following talk about the Atonement of Christ, which my Aunt Laura sent to me. Here is the link:
 
http://byutv.org/watch/49475abb-10d4-4f45-a757-7000b9945468
 
I hope the link works, because the way the speaker describes the reality of the atonement and how we misunderstand it has really helped me with overcoming perfectionism.  I still struggle of course, but it helps with me understanding and lowers my stress level.  I will NOT be perfect now and I SHOULD not ever beat myself up about it.  :-) 
Softly and Tenderly. . .Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me...