Category: Conflict

Opposition To That Which Is Good

Opposition to that which is good, that I did not see coming, indirectly showed up and rocked my world. 

Oh, WOW!!! It stunk bad as I was going about doing good with a pure heart, following clear and unquestionable divine inspiration from Heavenly Father, opposition to that which is good, that I did not see coming, indirectly showed up and rocked my world. 

I was shocked and taken aback the opposition was even happening, especially in my geographical area, yet, here it was before me, of all places. In my naivety and oblivion, innocence and ignorance, as I began to receive pieces here and there of conversations had behind my back, though heartbreaking, I was open and receptive to the hard, to understand what I didn’t understand. I don’t hide away from conflict. It is absolutely uncomfortable, YES, yet, the knowledge gained is valuable and worth it to me for my personal growth.

Suffice it to say, sparing specific details, upon the surfacing of the opposition to that which is good, as I was about sharing my gifts and talents with others, doing what I love and love what I am doing, the perception and perceived notion of the good I was about doing, for whatever reason, was viewed negatively. I was astounded.

When the opposition came forward, it came on with force, and mentally and emotionally weighed heavily upon me, so much so, that I took my anguish to Heavenly Father. The many tender mercies that followed lifted my spirits. Despite the opposition to that which is good, I regained my footing to continue onward doing what I love and love what I am doing with joy and gratitude, knowing my heart was pure and in the right place. 

Upon the onset of the opposition, my questioning myself if the reference of character that came up and of concern to others of me was true, it was a tender mercy I received a sacred assurance from Heavenly Father that I was not who I was described to be.

Downtrodden for several days, the upcoming Sunday, I struggled to go to church, yet, it was a tender mercy I felt a strength to attend. Throughout Sacrament Meeting, all the while my emotional and mental state was waned, the talks given resonated and coincided with the inspired direction I had received to share my gifts and talents with others, and it was a tender mercy the confirmation and assurance I felt to carry onward doing the good I was inspired to do. Also, all the while my emotional and mental state was waned, I found myself numb as I sang a hymn, mouthing the words without knowing what I was singing. As the chorus began, it was a tender mercy a line of the song clearly stood out and I heard it amidst the sorrow I was feeling and the fog that had encompassed me, “We will heed not what the wicked may say, But the Lord alone we will obey”. Upon hearing these words, I was assured that the divine direction I had received was right despite opposition to the good I was doing. 

Following Sacrament Meeting, I was headed to a specific Sunday School class, when per a tender mercy, I was rerouted to attend a different class, for which again, all of the messages presented were a strong confirmation to me of the divine inspiration I had received from Heavenly Father which buoyed my brokenness. 

And then BOOM, right after church, again, the opposition to that which is good I was doing came on strong with a heaviness that was hard to bear. Desiring to feel a peace, comfort, and solace, I spontaneously headed to a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In route, I prayed to have someone—an earthly, mortal, safe person I could talk to apart from Heavenly Father. Within confusion to comprehend what was happening and seeking to know what was next for me, it was a tender mercy I heard Heavenly Father say to me, “I’ll help you”[to do the good I have inspired you to do]. Upon my arrival at the temple, it was a remarkable tender mercy my prayer for someone I could talk to was answered. 

The roller coaster ride is not yet over, however, from the strong opposition to that which is good coming my way, experiencing the emotional lows as I fall subject to criticism, there have also been many tender mercies of emotional strength more powerful from Heavenly Father.

When have you received hard opposition to that which is good you were doing, and a greater power and strength from Heavenly Father to not abandon your righteous and divinely inspired direction came by way of continuous confirmations and assurances?

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published which includes an audio version of the posts as well, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.

Not To Go Back

Conflicted whether to travel onward to our destination for punctuality sake or turn around to go back home and get the peppermint bark, I felt impressed to travel to the gathering and not to go back home.

To Go Back Or Not To Go Back?

As the holiday season was right around the corner and about to enter full swing, my Christmas shopping began, an unusually late start for me from past years, but this year was different from years prior, nonetheless, within the limited weeks ahead to finish before Christmas day, I was grateful I was getting started now over last last minute procrastination. 

Along with gifts, I was drawn to purchase several 24-ounce tubs of peppermint bark, one for our family and the others to have on hand in preparation for potential holiday gatherings up and coming. In route to one of these gatherings, I realized I did not have the tub I purposefully laid out to bring with me. As I pondered and contemplated, conflicted whether to travel onward to our destination for punctuality sake or turn around to go back home and get the peppermint bark, I felt impressed to travel to the gathering and not to go back home.  

I also considered the option that once we arrived and my family entered to attend the gathering that I would return home to get the peppermint bark and bring it back to the gathering, however, per the travel distance round trip, in addition to logic that it would not be feasible, for a significant portion of the gathering would be coming to a close not long after my return to rejoin my family, I also felt impressed it was important for me to remain present at the gathering and not to go back home. 

I was so looking forward to and grateful for the opportunity to share these goodies with others beyond our own family unit. As our family Christmas countdown was quite simplified this year, focused on one holiday experience together each day, I was also hopeful and desirous to share the peppermint bark with others outside our abode, the least I felt I could do as my current involvement outside of our home was none.

Though discouraged upon the realization I had not grabbed the peppermint bark, especially since I placed the peppermint bark purposefully with my other belongings going with me, to ensure the treats would not be left behind, and yet, they were still inadvertently left behind, my good intentions unfulfilled, it was a tender mercy I also felt confident and impressed there was another plan. Upon a desire within me to give the treat to someone, I asked Heavenly Father, “If not for this gathering, than for who?” 

On my way to the gathering, it was a tender mercy my disappointment was immediately replaced with acceptance for whatever other plan was in store and an encouraging personal narrative, a pep talk of sorts, internally ensued, acknowledging my heart and good intentions, comforting words entering my mind, “Give yourself grace. Your heart is in the right place”, and knowing the less-than thoughts I had of myself, Heavenly Father did not have the same of me. It was also a tender mercy as the thought about what I would say to someone if they felt as I did if they did not bring something and would not want to eat what others brought if they had not contributed anything, I’d say, “Don’t worry about it! Please enjoy what all is here. There is plenty!” As I would invite and encourage them to join in and partake, I gave this same message to myself. 

Upon my question to Heavenly Father, “If not for this gathering, than for who?”, it was a tender mercy I was impressed to take the peppermint bark to a funeral luncheon a few days later for a beautiful, active, gung ho, full of life, vivacious, 83-year-old dear friend I had not known for very long who had passed away a few weeks earlier. Perhaps the peppermint bark was one of my friend’s favorite treats and a happy memory would surface for those at the luncheon mourning her loss and feel of her presence, that she was near, and bring a smile upon their face and joy for her memory. Though I don’t know if this imagined possibility for the impression to take the peppermint bark to the luncheon was the reality and actual reason, I felt gratitude, peace, and joy for this opportunity to offer and share some holiday cheer during a time of hardship and loss.

When have you left your home and failed to take with you something you intended to bring with you, though conflicted, you felt impressed not to go back and get it?

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published which includes an audio version of the posts as well, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.