Tender Mercies

In the Book of Mormon, the very first chapter mentions tender mercies.  What is a tender mercy?

A tender mercy is evidence of God's love in your own personal life or in the life's of others.  Last night I received a tender mercy right after I prayed asking for one.  

This is how the night went,  I walked outside after a long day of work and started to cry.  I was crying because most of my family was eating ice cream.  Cookies and Cream ice cream.  That is one of the few foods that still tugs at my heart strings, if you know what I mean :)  Through my tear filled eyes, I looked up and saw my Dad outside.  I ran to him and gave him a hug because he was not eating ice cream either.  First tender mercy of the night.  He told me that is is proud of me for my strength, courage, and determination to eat healthy and to wear a smile.  Sometimes, I can not see this in my self.  Especially when I cry.  After walking away from my dad, still crying, I said a silent prayer in my heart asking Heavenly Father for a tender mercy.  Soon after, my grandma came and sat down with me for a while.  We talked and I forgave her for buying my favorite ice cream.  Silly I know, but a real thing to forgive.  In that moment I realized that Heavenly Father answered my prayers, just as he does in the first chapter of the Book of Mormon.  I know that I am loved.  And I know that I am not alone in this Oh so difficult and sometimes lonely journey.  God will never forsake me.

Some other tender mercies in my life include:

• My 5K miracle improvement
• Serving in the special needs seminary class when I needed to forget about my own self
• Close friendships that have come from being sick
• Friends at work and school who I can relate to in some degree about my trial
• Answered prayers
• My acceptance to BYU!!
• A kind letter the day I found out my grandpa has cancer
• Friends who have sacrificed by not eating in front of me
• Understanding teachers when I am sick
• Mr. Smith, my amazing calculus teacher who stays hours after school to help his students
• Opening up to a page in the Book of Mormon that teaches me exactly what I need to hear
• Happy dreams and memories
• A close relationship to my Mom
• Financial support from my hardworking Dad, including expensive food, doctors visits, medicine, etc.
• The calmness the Gospel of Jesus Christ Brings me
• And many more

What are the tender mercies in your life?