Category: Protection

Staying Inside The Lines

As I was taking my kids to school several miles away, it was tempting to doze off as I was feeling a residual tiredness from the insufficient rest I had the night prior, but I kept myself from doing so because I was driving. I knew I could’ve immediately fallen asleep if I closed my eyes. With cognizance, I managed to keep my droopy eyes fixated on the road during the morning commute. Feeling sleepy, it was a tender mercy the couple of times I almost hit a curbside, I didn’t and when I was at a stop light and sensed my foot about to easily slip off the pedal, it didn’t. Each moment that was a close call, I expressed gratitude to Heavenly Father for my safety, the safety of others, my car, and the property of others. 

When have you felt a residual tiredness while commuting and in fighting to keep your eyes open, you managed to stay awake and safely reach your, not far off, destination? 

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.*

Driving Error

On a heavily pouring rain, wipers full speed, gray and hazy morning while taking one of my children to school, visibility was off and on limited along the way. As such, although I had driven the same path almost daily for months, I realized, after the fact, that I had taken the wrong exit. Upon making a left-hand turn under a bridge with my turn signal blinking, I found myself in a nonofficial outside turn lane needing to merge immediately into the one and only turn lane. I had supposed the lane I was in also turned left and was unaware it did not until I made the turn. It was a tender mercy that when I recognized my error, the vehicle in the proper turn lane was a car length behind me and I was able to swiftly merge in safely.

When has your ability to see while driving been skewed temporarily and upon realizing you were navigating off course, you were able to recorrect safely?

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.*

Giving Up My Jacket

Before leaving the house to take our boys to an overnight youth camp out, last minute I was prompted to grab my hooded jacket. Initially, I attributed my receiving the prompting to my tendency to feel cold when outdoors at night. I was happy I had received the thought and that I’d be prepared in the event I needed it while out.  

Upon arrival at the campsite, it was a short time till dusk. As the temperature had slightly dropped, one of my boys expressed feeling a bit cold upon my noticing that it appeared he was and asking him. Because it had been warm outside all day he had not brought with him a jacket or long sleeve shirt. I felt impressed to offer up my jacket so he could stay warm through the night.

It was a tender mercy I had my jacket in the car available when he needed it and not just for the warmth, but also, being unaware and not anticipating that the weather would change so drastically the next morning with a torrential downpour and intense hailstorm that came through our area, the hooded jacket covered his head from the rain and protected him. 

When have you felt prompted to grab something on your way out the door assuming it was for your use later on and, after all, it was intended for someone else with a greater need than your own?

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.*

Growth Beyond The Freeze


Growing season has begun. Spring is right around the corner. Less than a week after our family planted a flower garden and vegetable garden during our Family Home Evening, we experienced the coldest night of winter. I don’t regularly check the weather day to day so it was a tender mercy our family happened to be watching the news and saw the weather report the first evening of the cold front. When we heard the heads up of the cold front approaching, my husband covered our plants. A few days later, I noticed the seedlings coming up and assumed that in addition to having covered them, they were also protected while still in the dirt and not yet exposed above ground. Timing was perfect that they didn’t poke through too soon. It was a tender mercy that the plants were still growing even after some very cold days and nights.

When have you protected your flower garden/vegetable garden/plants in time from a winter freeze and they survived the cold front?

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.*

Worst-Case Scenario

While traveling to an event I was attending for the first time in a part of town where businesses had barred windows, I felt uneasy and outside of my comfort zone. Even though the actual location of the event seemed ok, I did not feel completely safe. Being in a questionable environment, I was vigilant and cautious of my surroundings as well as conscientious of my desire to exude confidence and have faith that my time while at the event would be positive and valuable. 

Upon arrival, I backed in to the only available legal parking spot remaining on the property and closest to the building which was on the grass in front of a railroad track. Once out of my car, I was approached by a friendly, considerate delivery guy who expressed his concern for me being parked too close to the tracks and shared that if a train came through, he did not want rocks on the track to kick up and hit my car. I responded with gratitude and returned to my car moving it forward several feet away from the tracks. It was a tender mercy the fellow was there when I pulled up and provided that information with me as sure enough, partially through the event, while I sat near a window that overlooked where I had parked, I heard an approaching train and observed it go by.  

After my brief interaction with him, it was another tender mercy that as I did not know where to enter the building, another attendee who arrived shortly after I did showed me the way. She happened to be directly involved with the event and invited me to follow her via a shortcut, through a side door that opened right to the event. As I entered, I was warmly welcomed and greeted by others.  

When have you been in a place outside your comfort zone and the timeliness of kindness shown to you by another was beneficial and helpful? 

As much as I appreciated the timeliness of the acts of good will, I was, likewise, leery and apprehensive being in a new place and among individuals I was meeting for the first time. 

Once inside, within a few short minutes, I realized that I did not have my phone with me. I had last used it in the car when I turned off my phone navigation system after parking. As I always keep my phone on me when I am out either in a back pocket or in my purse, I became worried when it was not in either place. In one second I had my phone, and the next I did not. 

Aware of my heightened sense of feeling unsettled on top of having passed several people when I discovered my phone was missing, my mind went to the worst-case scenario that I had been pickpocketed. A part of me was skeptical and unsure who I could trust and ready to accept the loss of my phone, whereas, the other part of me was hopeful that I had simply misplaced my phone. Although I experienced a sudden panic, rather than allowing myself to dwell on the former possibility, I leaned in the direction of the latter taking a proactive “benefit of the doubt” approach while trying to not only appear calm, but also stay grounded and clear minded. Immediately, I backtracked my steps a couple of times and repeatedly checked all my pockets and my purse.  

As I stayed focused, prayed, and continued to search without giving up, it was a tender mercy when I went back to my car a second time and leaned over the driver’s seat to look inside the middle console, I saw my phone partially lodged between the console and front passenger seat.   

After finding my phone, I realized that in my hurried attempt to get back in my car to move it more so away from the railroad tracks and then get into the event as quickly as possible, I had set my phone down in the front passenger seat and only grabbed my purse when I got out. 

When have you experienced a troubling situation and the actual outcome was better than your worst-case scenario thought?

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.*

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.*

Persistent Honking

When I drove up a row in a school parking lot to pick up one of my children, I sat and waited in a line. This line temporarily prevented anyone who had a car in the parking spaces to our right, from departing. I positioned myself to avoid parking in front of two vehicles that had driver’s inside. I wanted to make it accessible for them when they were ready to leave at any moment to easily get out. This left a large gap in the line between me and the cars directly in front of me.

After several minutes, I was honked at and I didn’t know why. I was a tad bit annoyed. I thought maybe the driver honking at me was upset that I had left so much space ahead of me. At the same time, I was concerned that by moving forward or backward I would block one the driver’s trying to get out so I  stayed put.

Again, the honk came. Rather than be reactive and full on frustrated, I sought to find out what was going on. As I looked around, I observed in my blind spot on my left side a vehicle inches from my back bumper. As I had been focusing on the right side of my car, I had not been paying attention to the left. Unaware and unbeknownst to me, this driver was exiting on my left and with very little room to get out, they were pinned in unless I moved. It was a tender mercy that the driver honking at me saw what was happening and alerted me. My slight annoyance turned to gratitude.

When have you become aware of an impending concern—about to get hit, a flat tire, gas tank lid left open, driving off with items on top of your car or trunk still open after loading groceries, etc—because someone honked at you?

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.*

Close Call

When leaving to take a son to early-morning church seminary (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) while still dark outside, it was foggy with very little visibility to see very far in front of me as I was driving.

After dropping him off and returning back home, I had an impression to slow down, more so than my already driving just under the speed limit. My thoughts turned to the possibilities of what could be ahead in the fog preparing myself in the event that there was another vehicle in front of me or a person crossing the street or walking along side the street. Soon after the thought came and I slowed down, a deer darted in front of my car. I was startled. I was able to move off slightly to the right and avoid any collision.

It was a tender mercy I received the impression and thought when I did to slow down. It protected me and the deer from harm.

When have you had a thought or impression while driving to slow down, stop, or alter your course and it protected you from harm?

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.*

Brotherly Kindness

On a very hot and sunny afternoon, our youngest son invited one of our other sons to go on a bike ride with him in our neighborhood and to spend some time together at our community park.

As they were preparing to leave, I was reviewing safety precautions with the boys, and the older brother said, “don’t worry mom, I’ll watch him.” My heart melted with the softness at which he spoke those words and his willingness to care for his younger brother.

Once outside while getting their bikes ready, the younger brother noticed his handle bars were crooked and the older brother happily went over to his bike, adjusted the handle bars and straightened them out. Both boys were cheerful and genuinely excited to spend some time together.

The younger one was happy his older brother accepted his invitation to go for a bike ride to the park and for fixing his bike and the older brother was happy to join him and to help him out. My heart was full. Watching our boys working together, getting along, and showing forth brotherly kindness to one another was a tender mercy.

When has your heart been full observing your children working together, getting along, and showing forth kindness to one another?

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.*

Several Close Calls

“Stopped The Car Before Impact”

As I pulled into my driveway and began gathering things to take into the house, I did not realize I had not put the gearshift in park. It was a tender mercy I looked up just in time to see the car rolling forward toward our garage door. I was able to brake quickly to avoid any impact and was happy my response was immediate.

When have you experienced a moment when you realized your car was rolling forward as you were prepared to get out and you stopped the car inches from structural impact?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

“Narrowly Missed The Other Vehicle”

On this day, for some reason as I was backing out of my garage, I did not bother to look around or use my mirrors. I drove straight back while conversing with my children. Once out of the garage, it was a tender mercy I looked over my shoulder before leaving the driveway and realized I was within inches of almost hitting our other vehicle.

It was so unusual for me to not look around first. I suppose I felt so accustomed to maintaining a straight line when I back out of the garage, I didn’t pay any attention to the other car that was there. As I think about it, the difference on this particular day was that my husband was working from home. Typically, the driveway is empty. That experience was so alarming to me that I am sure I’m going to pay better attention to looking around when backing out of the garage. It usually only takes one scare for me to learn what I don’t want to happen again.

When have you been casual in your driving and a close call helped you become more alert?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

“The Horn Works”

When we first purchased our car, weeks and months went by before I had reason to use my horn. I had wondered if the horn worked, but never tried it. I don’t randomly press my horn without cause and so I wasn’t sure if it worked or how quickly I would respond in the event that I needed to use the horn.

Well, today was the day and it was a tender mercy the horn worked. The sun was bright and I barely caught a glance of a car backing out as I had just turned the corner to go down an aisle in a parking lot. The visibility was minimal and the fact that I saw the driver backing out was an incredible tender mercy considering the glare. I responded immediately by pressing my hand on the horn. She stopped and I was able to get around her, narrowly missing getting hit. It was a crazy experience and I am grateful it ended well.

When have you wondered if something in your car would function properly in an emergency and were unsure how quickly you would respond; and you were grateful when faced with danger, your car and you responded well?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

“Looked Up Just in Time”

While at a school dropping off some paperwork, I briefly stopped to chat with a friend that arrived when I did. When our dialogue ended and I was walking towards the school, I looked down reflecting on our conversation while also reviewing the form in my hand and it was a tender mercy I looked up just before taking another step that would have led me face on, right into a metal gate bar. I was not paying attention to what was in front of me. I am grateful I looked up when I did.

When have you been one step from running into something and grateful you looked up just in time?

tendermercym♥ments~jld