Tender Mercies

In April 2005 Elder David A. Bednar gave a talk in the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints about tender mercies.  He said they 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."

I have had many tender mercies in my life, but almost every time I think of the tender mercies I have received, I think back on a time when I was pregnant with Dan.  I think I have mentioned before that I had a hard time during that pregnancy.  I was so tired, and it hurt to walk, and it was worse to just stand, and I felt fairly useless.  Sometimes I cried uncontrollably at night without really knowing why.  On top of that I felt guilty, for stressing Derek out, and for not doing "enough"  I tried to do what needed to be done, but only felt marginally successful.  On top of all of that, and maybe the worst thing for me, was that I didn't feel like anyone knew how I was really doing.  I tried so hard to put on a good face, so that was my own fault, and really, things weren't always terrible!  But on the day of this story, I was feeling kind of alone in my suffering.

I needed to go to the store.  I didn't want to.  I was not sure I could manage walking all over the big Walmart and standing in a long line (which seemed to average 20 minutes every time I went back then!).  I got in the car and went.  As I arrived, and drove down the row I always park in so that I won't lose the car, I found that the very front parking spot was open.  That rarely happens!  I was so happy not to have to walk farther.  I went into the store, got the things I had to get, and then walked towards the front.  There, right in front of me, was an empty line with a cashier waiting just for me.  I didn't have to stand there for long at all!  Somehow I knew as I got in my car that even if nobody in the whole world understood exactly how I was doing, Heavenly Father did.  Those things that some would think of as lucky coincidences, to me were proof that Heavenly Father understood, and was taking care of me.  They were tender mercies.