I was laying awake Sunday night thinking about this. And it occurred to me why. In Winter 1990 I was enrolled in a skiing class at the University of Utah. We would go up to Brighton once a week, pay like $5 for an afternoon ski pass and have a great lesson. It was a ball. I was skiing on some clunky old Fischers that I had gotten years before. They were heavy, worn out, well used, and the bindings were not adjusted right. It's actually a wonder I never broke my leg. But I loved them. One evening my dad came in and asked me if I'd like to go for a ride. I thought that would be fun to have some one on one with him. He drove me right over to Herman's Sporting Goods (remember that?) and walked me back to the ski section and told me to pick out a new set of skis. I couldn't believe it! He said I needed to be outfitted properly in order to enjoy my skiing class. I got these beauties with new boots and bindings! My first run out I crashed several times because the edges were so sharp and I wasn't used to it! Soon I adjusted and I skied more vertical feet than could be counted that winter and the next two until I left on my mission.
I realize that is why I can't get rid of them. I didn't ask for them. They were given to me. It was such a pleasant and sweet surprise. I was (and still am) so appreciative of that kind gesture of Dad's. Then I realized this had much deeper meaning. It is just like our Savior's gift of His Atoning Sacrifice. We didn't ask for it. He just gave it to us. We get to choose whether or not we accept it. I'm going to make more of an effort to recognize His gift, accept it, and use it in my life, much as how I used these skis! I took care of them, appreciated them and I'm going to keep them around to help me remember a wonderful lesson I got out of why I can't seem to get rid of these particular skis! I also want to appreciate our Savior's gift, His love, and use the Atonement to draw nearer to Him.
