Category: Prayer

Winter Driving

Nineteen years ago, while returning home after spending time with extended family for Christmas, our small young family of three slid off the road moments after we switched drivers with me then behind the wheel. After twice maintaining control when driving on black ice, the 3d time the car spun around and slid backwards 400 feet down an interstate embankment and turned around feet before going into a forest of trees. 

Since that time, I’ve declined invitations year after year during the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, to travel to visit family that live where those conditions are a real possibility. 

This year, after all that time, we ventured out driving hours during Christmas break to vacation and visit some cold and snowy places. I prepared our family and packed for the worst case scenario extreme weather conditions. Experience had taught me to be prepared. We had food, water, layers of clothing, blankets, and snow gear in the event we were caught in a blizzard or the weather delayed us for a time. I also periodically checked the weather pattern days leading up to and throughout our trip.  Any worries and concerns were lessened as I felt prepared and gained a peace through prayer.

I was extremely appreciative of the tender mercy and miracle that the scariest of moments when driving in the dark on wet, icy roads were brief and that we were able to get to and from every destination during our weeklong trip absent of severe weather. For most of our trip, the roads were dry and at times, the gusty winds and snow drifts blowing low along the highway were manageable. 

On Day 2, our schedule was delayed a couple of hours ultimately the perfect timing as we arrived in a city where it had been snowing all day, the snow let up before we got there and with the interstate having been salted, the road was clear other than side streets that were packed down with crunchy, icy snow. And, the day we began our trip back home was hours ahead of a new snow storm coming through. It was a tender mercy and miracle that we were able to enjoy our trip void of the snowstorm that preceded our arrival to one city earlier in the week and a new snowstorm in a city we were leaving at the end of the week.

My continuous prayers for our safety and good weather weeks prior to the trip and during were answered. 

When have you returned to a place of fear and as you prepared yourself and prayed that you would not experience a repeat of the traumatic event, you got through it safely with conditions of concern at a minimum? 

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, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.*

Fast Sunday

I missed fasting on Fast Sunday. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to which I belong, Fast Sunday is most often the first Sunday of the month. I lost track of time and didn’t realize that the first day of the new month fell on Sunday. Fast Sunday is a time when we go without food and drink for a period of 24 hours and the money we would spend on those meals go to help the needy. Throughout the fast, we pray for something specific, for a reason, for a purpose, a meaningful reason and purpose like added prayers and blessings for someone who is sick and/or for ourselves to overcome challenges, difficulties, struggles, hardships, trials that we may be experiencing and facing.

Because I missed fasting on Fast Sunday, I decided that I would fast later in the week. By mid week as I was preparing for my day and listening to inspirational messages, I heard the word fast and I was reminded that I had not yet fasted. I decided right then and there that I was going to fast, however, I was not feeling well nor had I pondered and thought about a purpose and a reason to fast. Physically, I needed food and water and knew I probably shouldn’t fast, but mentally I prepared myself and told myself I could do it.

I decided to pray and ask Heavenly Father. The answer to my prayer was to wait until the weekend to fast. When I got up from my prayer, I felt really good about the answer, but I doubted if I received and heard the answer correctly. As I got up, I looked at my phone and saw that there was a text message from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionaries serving in our area. They were asking if they could teach someone a lesson in our home on Sunday, a few days later. 

I reached out to my husband to ask him about his schedule and he asked me what time they would be coming and if it would be after I finished my fast. I’d shared with my husband earlier that I wanted to fast later in the week, but I never told him when I was going to do it. His question was a confirmation to the answer I had received. It was a tender mercy that I had received that confirmation and all worries, concerns, and doubts left. It was a blessing that I knew with certainty and with confidence that I had heard and received the answer correctly and that waiting until the weekend to fast was the answer to my prayer.

When have you questioned an answer to a prayer and you later received a confirmation that helped you know for certain that you heard exactly what you thought you heard?

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, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.*

Following Prophetic Counsel

When President Russell M. Nelson, the Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints extended an invitation for all women of the church to do a 10-day social media fast and read The Book of Mormon before the end of the year, I had a willing heart to participate, yet I was wrestling and struggling with a couple of things trying to decide what I should do.

I was perplexed when I saw a Facebook page I turned to for inspiration doing the 10-day fast. It frustrated me. I could not understand why when they are a source for good and a light to the world they would remove themselves and shut down for 10 days. Six months earlier they also participated in the social media fast our Prophet encouraged and invited the youth of our church to do. I was bothered beyond bothered six months earlier and worked through those emotions as I recognized their team was inspired and they followed what they felt prompted they should do. So fast forward six months when this invitation was extended to all the women and again they were inspired to participate in the 10-day fast. I was bummed and annoyed, but I worked through the emotions a lot more quickly this time around.

That led me to question whether I should be adding anything to my blog for the next 10 days or not because my blog also publishes to Facebook. A couple of days following the announcement I pondered and contemplated the “letter of the law” versus the “spirit of the law” and re-read President Nelson‘s invitation several times, particularly the words, “I invite you to participate in a 10-day fast from social media and from any other media that bring negative and impure thoughts to your mind.” I personally am drawn to things that are good, but do on occasion get caught up in spending more time than I should on social media. My blog is a source for good and it is uplifting. As I went walking with a friend several days later, I shared with her that I was trying to figure out what was the right thing for me to do—continue blogging or take a break and set it aside for 10 days. Her words confirmed the feelings I had felt when I prayed asking Heavenly Father directly what I should do. The answer I received was that it would be all right for me to continue to blog as I felt impressed and prompted to do so.

I know that when counsel is given and we lack understanding and are frustrated and we want to follow and know for ourselves how to go about doing it, we can turn to Heavenly Father and ask Him.

One other question I asked Heavenly Father was whether I should read The Book of Mormon starting on page 1. I was currently in the book of Helaman. When the announcement came, I wondered if it would be ok if I continued right where I was as my starting point. Following my sincere and heartfelt prayers and studying out what I should do, I felt good about beginning and ending in Helaman.

At the end of the 10-day social media fast, I came to realize a couple of things. One, if I had really wanted to go to the Facebook page mentioned earlier for inspirational messages I could’ve gone to past posts. I didn’t think about that at all until the social media fast had passed. Two, I was humbled by the many others whose uplifting and wholesome Facebook pages I follow also participated in the social media fast. I had no idea because I didn’t search for them during those 10 days. I was amazed that even others who share good information took a break themselves from social media. What I gained the most from the experience was the more concentrated effort I gave to focus on what Heavenly Father wanted me to do to be a light in the world and spending more in-person quality time with others.

It was a tender mercy that I was able to receive an answer for myself from Heavenly Father to how I could personally follow our Prophet’s invitation. I did not have to give up blogging to participate in the 10-day social media fast and I could start right where I was at in The Book of Mormon and read the entire book finishing where I began.

When have you wrestled with and were unsure how to precede with direction given by an inspired leader and you received a personal confirmation from Heavenly Father what was right for you to accomplish and fulfill the invitation you were willing and desired to accept?

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, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.**

Weathering The Storm

Recently, our family took a one-day trip, leaving early in the morning, driving several hours, to attend a registered event and we returned home the same day, late evening. While traveling bright and early, hours before the crack of dawn, we drove through a rainstorm that was going in the same direction we were headed. We left during heavy downpours that had flooded roads at low points. In the darkness of the hour, the areas on the road that were flooded were unknown until we actually drove into it, literally plowing through the water to make it out the other side without getting stuck. It was pretty scary and nerve-racking. As the driver, I was able to steady our car and maintain a forward direction without veering into a concrete wall or losing control later on the road.

Before we left, we had a family prayer together and throughout the drive, I continuously maintained a prayer in my heart. I felt a calm and peace. I knew all would be well and I was confident we would arrive to the location unharmed. The weather didn’t change, however, I was vigilant, gauging conditions, closely paying attention to what was ahead of me and my surroundings as well as watching the vehicles in front of me and around me.

While driving, I thought of the many challenges in life we experience that we have no control over and can not stop, but through prayer, we can receive help to get through the trying times. I did not feel impressed to turn around and go home avoiding driving in the rain. What I did feel and received was strength, comfort, support, and a peaceful assurance we would be ok.

Along the way, I implemented what I felt would be the best course of action to protect our family, staying in the middle lane where the road sat higher and was dryer, changing lanes to avoid and stay clear of puddles, remaining focused and alert, relying on light from other cars to see beyond my own visibility in the dark, slowing down as needed and speeding up when necessary for momentum to not get stuck. As the sky was darkened, I was grateful for the city lights, truck lights, and cars lights that assisted my ability to see large pools of water in our path.

There was rain the entire way to the event, heavy in the beginning and intermittent throughout with occasional light rain and brief moments of no rain. I was grateful when the sun rose and I could see more. I was also grateful for short periods of time when there was light to no rain when I could relax and release the tension in my shoulders and hands from overall having maintained a tight two-handed grip on the steering wheel to not lose control if we hit a bad spot.

We arrived safely as I knew we would. I was grateful for multiple tender mercies from having light along the way, moments of being able to relax, getting to the place on time, and the peaceful assurance that we would be ok while driving through the storm.

When you have experienced the storms of life that you could not control, change, or alter and with divine help you received a comfort and strength that helped you get through it with a feeling of peace and confidence?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

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

**To receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com**

Late Start

It was a particularly rough morning when carpool plans changed last minute. One of our children did not have a ride unless they left with me 15 minutes earlier than their usual departure time, lessening their time to get ready. As I waited on them, leaving several minutes later than I had planned to take one of our other children to school, who arrived 3 minutes before their bell rang, further delays occurred as frustrations arose resulting in what I thought would be a definite tardy for the child whose carpool plans had been altered.

I did not want them to be late. I prayed they would be on time, but the closer it got to the start time, it became apparent they would inevitably be late. Minutes after we arrived and I dropped them off, I received a message from them that on that day it was a late start. Instead of being late, they were early. I was grateful!

My prayer was answered in a different way than my specific plea that we would make it through the lights and turn arrows in a timely manner and traffic would be light. The traffic and intersection lights were not on our side and when I saw that there was no way to get there any sooner but to patiently wait it out, it was a huge blessing and tender mercy when I learned about the late start.

When have you prayed specifically for what you thought would help you arrive somewhere on time and when that didn’t happen and you resigned to the fact that you were going to be late, you learn that your prayer was answered in a different way and you ended up being punctual after all?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

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

To receive an email when new posts are published, please send your email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com

Past Mistakes

While at a college presentation recently, I was remembering some of my experiences that I had many years ago when I was a college student. Periodically, there is one experience that pops back up over and over, here and there, and eats at me. I made a decision that I have questioned and have wondered if I could go back, would I have done what I did differently. I don’t know? I don’t know if I did the right thing or if I did the wrong thing, but it is something that I have felt guilty about all these years since and I haven’t been able to fully put it behind me.

During the middle of the presentation, I received a message on my phone from a friend I’ve known since childhood, but had not had direct correspondence with in years. As the struggle was taking place in my mind and I glanced down to see my friend’s kind message come through, I was taken back to a specific memory I had with this friend several years back. I opened up to them about a choice I had made that I had not resolved and it had bothered me for over 20 years until I got it off my chest apologizing to my friend for my actions.

My friend warmly received me. As I finally put my wrong to rest, I felt a weight removed. Even after the wrong I had done, this friend still loved and cared about me and saw past my error and saw the person I am truly. I was not my mistake. I am a good person, imperfect, mortal, and am learning and growing like everyone else and I do mess up. In a quick, split second as I glanced at the message and in remembrance of that experience, I heard the words, “Stop being so hard on yourself”.

On my drive home, I pondered on what had just occurred as I kept questioning my long ago decision as a college student. Each time the experience had came up, I continued to feel sorrow and pain. This time was no different. I had been tucking away the pain, setting it aside, ashamed, disappointed, uncertain if I had adequately dealt with it earlier, struggled to forgive myself, and not sure what to do to rid it fully from gnawing at me.

As I reached out to Heavenly Father in prayer on my way home, I thought about my knowledge of the Atonement. I knew I couldn’t change the past, but I could learn from the past to not make the mistake again in the present or the future. I knew Heavenly Father wanted me to be happy moving forward. As I was dialoguing with Heavenly Father, the words “embrace it” came very clearly and distinctly. In that instance, I felt a peace. I sought confirmation of this response. And again, I felt peace. My pain and suffering washed away. All these years later as I have avoided the benefits my choice could have had because I questioned if my actions were right or not, I heard, “embrace it, use what you have done for your good”. In addition to feeling peace, I also felt an excitement.

I responded back, replying to Heavenly Father, “ok, I will embrace it”. I felt joy. My pain had stayed with me long enough and it was a tender mercy both messages I received, “Stop being so hard on yourself” and “Embrace it”, allowed me to release the pain I was holding on to and experience joy.

When have you hung on to a mistake you made long ago and after praying and hearing specific words given to you from a loving Heavenly Father, you were finally able to let it go?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

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

Stand By Your Feeling

I was facing a conflict, a dilemma to what I was going to do and what decision I was going to make at an annual well exam visit for one of my children. I was sure they had swimmer’s ear, and I knew there was a possibility that immunizations were given at their age. I was not only concerned about my child’s ear discomfort, but also if getting shots now was a good thing or not. I questioned if other problems or side effects would arise and complicate things if I didn’t keep the two separate and deal with one thing at a time. There was some leverage between now and a year from now to receive the state required school vaccinations.

I did not know what I should do, so I did the only thing that I knew to do and that was to pray. As I prayed about the decision to wait, I felt a peace to not have the vaccinations done that day. I had received the answer prior to going to the appointment and was prepared if I felt pressure to have my child get them while in the office. Although it was shared that my child was of age to have them and they were available, surprisingly, the pressure I felt didn’t come from the staff or the doctor, but rather from within myself wanting to ensure I was doing the right thing for my child.

When my child learned about the vaccinations, they were concerned it would hurt. I offered them the option of doing it that day, waiting a few months, or next year and allowing them to weigh in on the decision and choose what they wanted to do. They, too, felt good about waiting. The staff respected our decision.

I am grateful for the peace and comfort I felt proceeding the visit in knowing what I needed to do and I was prepared if I was potentially “put on the spot”. A few times, I did consider and contemplate for a second if what I felt earlier had changed. It had not. I was reminded of the peace I felt to wait. I stood by the original feeling and the answer I had received after prayer and was able to remain unwavering in the conclusion to hold off for the time being.

When have you received an answer to a prayer and you were able to remain unwavering in your decision when you felt pressure or when you were “put on the spot”?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Blood Pressure

It is not a hard thing for me to become stressed and feel anxious. I strive daily to maintain a relaxed composure and utilize techniques and skills to calm my nerves when I get uptight, nervous, scared, etc.

Recently, I had an annual doctor’s visit and recalling last year‘s stressful visit, due in part to meeting a new doctor in a new practice, I did not want a repeat, most specifically,  a less than desired blood pressure reading. This time around, conditions were different and I was not experiencing the same kind of stresses, however, my recollection hiked up my anxiety.

Prior to leaving for the appointment, I did things that would help calm my nerves from breathing—deep breathes in and deep breathes out, focusing on my happy place— the celestial room inside of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple, reading inspiring stories in a Latter-day Saints church magazine—the Ensign, listening to a song and a personal experience shared by an artist on “Hi Five Live -Facebook”, and I prayed for a miracle that all of the above would calm me and I would be able to stay focused on pleasant, happy things so my blood pressure would be good.

I have not had what I would consider a good blood pressure reading in I don’t know how long because I’m constantly experiencing and dealing with stress and anxiety. It was a tender mercy the calming techniques and my focus paid off and with Heavenly Father‘s help, my blood pressure was excellent!

When have you worked really hard to achieve a healthy state and you were successful?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Resistance

Although I was drawn to post a particular Tender Mercy Moment to my blog, I was contemplating whether I should.  I was hesitant and nervous about being vulnerable. I also felt a darkness and heaviness bear down on me to NOT post. I was confused by the feelings. I was debating whether posting the entry was the right thing to do or not and I considered setting it aside to focus on posting a different one, but I felt a pull to that entry.

I was questioning if my feeling nervous and reluctant was a message to not move forward posting the entry, therefore, the darkness was confirming that thought process. Or, was the nervousness, my feeling inadequate not knowing if the post would be an inspiration to someone else. I began to see it was the latter.

It is hard posting entries and putting myself out to lots of people uncertain how they will respond or react. Yet, I know my Tender Mercy Moments are meant to be shared with others. I have seen and heard many overcome personal fear, and their gift and light has blessed the lives of so many.

Over the course of several minutes as I prayed to know what I should do, the experience was intense. The feeling to not  post was more than I have ever felt before. In a matter of minutes, my mind shifted constantly back and forth wanting to do the right thing, but not knowing what was the right thing to do.

As I was trying to decide how I should proceed, I asked myself the question, “Is the nervousness I am feeling God wanting me to turn away from posting because it is actually a bad thing or is it Satan trying to stop me from doing something that will spread light to a lot of people?” As pressure was mounting to step away, one by one for every thought pulling me away from posting, there was a reassuring image of light, phrases, and stories also entering my mind. I focused my attention and hung onto what I knew and felt was true. The truth countered the lies.

It was a testimony to me that the goodness Heavenly Father has called me to do is significant enough that Satan wanted to stop me. I know now that the number of individuals the blog will bless is a force for good. I didn’t realize that at first as I was confused and trying to discern the right path to follow, but then began recognizing the source of the darkness and heaviness surrounding me. I know Satan wants to disrupt goodness and I felt his influence very strongly.

In this process, I was reminded of the Prophet Joseph Smith‘s experience in the Sacred Grove as he prayed to God seeking to know which church was true and if he should join any of the many churches that were in his area.  The answer to that question would bless the lives of many, many people. Satan knew this. Darkness overshadowed Joseph with such greatness he could not speak and then a bright light dispersed the darkness as Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him.

I was able to break through the darkness pressing down on me because of small and simple messages and thoughts entering my mind through a still small voice. I knew what I was receiving was truth. Among the depths of the darkness surrounding me as Satan was trying to deter me from doing what Heavenly Father has inspired and prompted me to do, I was in a place of desire to hear through the Holy Ghost what Heavenly Father wanted me to know.

It is easy at times to listen to others as they discourage you away from doing good. I was teetering not knowing what direction I should go. During the conflict, as I was hugely consumed by darkness, I could see this tiny light. The light was only a flicker and as I made the decision to post the entry, the darkness lifted. I felt that the post was meant for someone. I chose to move forward grasping on to that flicker of light. It was a powerful moment for me. The smothering darkness is real and very influential in a strong and negative way, so much so, it is confusing to know what to believe. I am grateful I was able to hear the still small voice and as I listened, it became clear to me that posting the entry was the right thing to do.

When have you been in a quandary and felt enormous pressure pulling you away from putting yourself out there, yet what you were reluctant to do was the right thing to do?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Leap of Faith

It has been a very hard week emotionally as I have struggled with finding answers and solutions to problems I am facing. Last night, I made the decision that I was going to go to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple. I was doing all that I could do up to that point from praying, fasting, serving others, reading scriptures, being cheerful, reading and listening to uplifting and inspirational messages and I was still struggling. I was hoping that by attending the temple I would receive this unmistakable and clear answer.

As I sat in the temple, I felt a warmth, a calm, and a peace. I wanted to soak it up and was not anxious to leave. I also knew that I would not receive an answer right then and there, but that the peace I felt was confirmation that Heavenly Father would strengthen me, help me, and bless me.

Upon leaving the temple I still felt sadness and my steps were slow, yet what followed later in the day was the answer.

As I drove home, I thought about how nice it would be if someone would come to my home and bring me a treat, something sweet. I also thought about stopping and treating myself, however, I did not want to spend money on things I already had at home. This past weekend, a family member celebrated a birthday and I overestimated when purchasing the food leaving plenty of leftovers after the party for days of snacking and meals.

Continuing to feel down when I arrived home, I listened to several “Hi Five Live” Facebook posts and I had a surge of energy and a rejuvenation that what I needed to do was take a leap of faith and do what I’ve known I’ve needed to do for a while which was to post a tender mercy moment entry to my blog and I also felt I needed to reach out to my closest friends and share my website with them.

What I needed to do to get out of my slump and through the trials that I was burdened down with were these two things and it made all the difference. It wasn’t someone coming to my home to bring me a treat, although I would not turn it away and would be ever so grateful, but Heavenly Father knew the answer was action on my part.  It was those two acts that my troubles were no longer present or in the forefront of my mind. The weight I was carrying was lifted and I was able to walk with more of a bounce in my steps feeling happiness and joy. As a matter of fact, I took a walk around our neighborhood feeling better than I had all week.

Heavenly father knows what we need and it wasn’t just a matter of listening but action. For I was listening, but pushing aside what I feared doing.  He knew that the way I would feel comfort was posting an entry to my blog and in talking to a friend. He knew better than I knew what I needed. The inspirational messages I had listened to on “Hi Five Live” today helped give me the strength and the motivation to do what I have felt in my heart I’ve needed to do, but have held back because of the time necessary to post an entry, doubting my abilities, and expecting too much of myself. I am reminded “line upon line, precept upon precept”.  I felt like “Jonah” in the sense that the Lord was directing me to do something good, but I was too scared.

Today I pushed past my fears and did not give them a second thought or think twice and acted by adding one more post entry to my blog and I reached out to several of my friends sharing with them my blog site.

For several weeks, I removed myself away from the blog intended to bless and inspire others and I buried my talent.   Although I was seeing and identifying tender mercy moments in my life everyday and recording them, my weaknesses in writing, not being technology savvy, and on and on, were stumbling blocks to my posting entries to the blog and as I paid more attention to where I fell short, I began to feel empty.

Taking a leap of faith and not thinking twice were key elements that got me up and moving after listening to ‎Alan Fullmer on “Hi Five Live” share his amazing talent and his doubts.  His message motivated me to believe in myself and know that Heavenly Father wants me to share my gift with others and to be a light.

When have you known you needed to do something and have been too afraid and scared and you sought for other solutions and answers to your problems, dragging your feet and hiding your talents in the process, until you heard words that motivated you and gave you the strength to do what you’ve known you needed to do all along and it was through action that the weight of the struggles you were carrying were lifted?

tendermercym♥ments~jld