Tender Mercies

Today I'm grateful for tender mercies of the Lord.  Just to clarify what tender mercies of the Lord are, here is a quote from Elder Bednar:

 "Tender mercies are... the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ... The tender mercies of the Lord are real and do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence.  Often, the Lord's timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them."

I searched the scriptures for the phrase "tender mercies" and found it is there over 50 times.  I think that would be a good topic to study.

Anyway, I have found that many of my blessings or things that I have written about are tender mercies that come just when I need them.  A couple of weeks ago I spent many hours doing relief society work- making visiting teaching changes, visiting people, helping people out, going door to door for friends of scouts (not a RS thing, but ended up having to do it).  One of these busy days I helped a lady out with her kids and missed Sara's tennis game.  The lady was in a real bind and had lots of problems so I knew I needed to help her out.  I went to pick Sara up late and there she was in the empty parking lot with the mom of a girl and the tennis coach waiting for me.  I felt so bad, just so sad that I had put others before my own daughter who I love far more than any sister in the ward.  She went on to tell me how good she had done in her games that day... and I was so sorry that I didn't get to be there for her and even worse that I couldn't even pick her up on time. 

That evening I had to do the friends of scouts thing, and earlier that day I had a few complaints from people about visiting teaching. It was just a hard day for me.  A day where I thought, "What am I doing?"  "Why am I doing this?" "I'm not making a difference in anyone's life, and I'm just hurting the lives that I love the most."

Now, really I spend a lot of time with my kids and family.  They have just had to sacrifice a little with me in this calling.  They are fine and often they get opportunities to serve with me.  I just felt a load and sadness that particular day.

Well, that night I got some tender mercies.  My new counselor went with me to go door to door asking for friends of scouts donations with me, which she didn't have to do.  When we were finished around 8:30 that night, she said she wanted to thank me for giving her this calling (even though it was God that gave her the calling) and how it has initiated a great change for good in her life.  She's such a kind giving person.  Then I went into the house and there was a plate of cookies from another sister in the ward, and a vase of flowers from another sister in the ward.  It was as if the God was saying to me, "I'm aware of you, love you, and accept your effort."  Oh, I cried and was just so grateful for the sweet women in my life and that God is watching over me.

I believe tender mercies come into our lives as we act on our faith.  We may not recognize our blessings as being from the Lord, but I think they most often are.  I'm grateful for my calling that stretches me so much, so much that I think I get extra tender mercies.  And, I'm grateful for my wonderful family who supports me.  I sure love them.

Tender Mercies