Week 3, Day 7: Tender Mercies

Okay, maybe it's just me, but I chalk all of those moments of little delight up to tender mercies. It just feels like the Lord knew in some way that the grapefruit-flavored Vitamin C drops were my favorite, so He let me pick them from the bag every time I was sick on my mission.

 
I think He also knew how hard I tried to be on time for my early-morning shift as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake temple and just let all the lights be green on the way. Sure it was 4:30 a.m. so the lights just happen to cater to the only car on the road, but I knew deep down it was for me.

Sidenote: I am thinking of writing a book about tender mercies called Cough Drops and Traffic Stops. Catchy business, right?

Anyway, all that being said, today was a little heavy. There were some moments of sorrow, some of stress, some of total exhaustion. I feel so very grateful to have lived it, but it was one of those "grower" days. But even in all of that, and probably especially in all of that, I felt His hand in many tender mercies. Here are a few that I loved:

Today, in the midst of the third meeting of the day, I looked out the window and saw this: 

It took my breath away. To me, the temple (ALL temples, but especially Salt Lake) remind me of the love that the Lord has for me. It's probably because it's the temple I have attended most often in my life, my parents, grandparents and brothers were sealed there, and I have worked near it and in it for over two years now. It's also where I learned many wonderful things pertaining to eternity. I thank my Father for a glorious temple of the Lord and for the blessing of being so near it so often.

Then tonight, I took a walk to the Christmas tree lot near our house. It was wonderful to walk through a forest of fresh-cut pine, and eat peanuts beside a cracking fire. It was so simple, but I thanked the Lord for letting me be there tonight. I needed that short, sweet renewal.

And finally, I decided to listen to a couple conference talks while doing a little work from home, and chose Elder Holland's talk Because of Your Faith from this past conference. I missed his talk in conference because I was working media that session, so I have since listened to it, but I just couldn't seem to remember it. However, tonight, it was less like I was listening, and more like I was feeling the words Elder Holland spoke because they were to me. These are the words that touched me most:

In whatever country you live, however young or inadequate you feel, or however aged or limited you see yourself as being, I testify you are individually loved of God, you are central to the meaning of His work, and you are cherished and prayed for by the presiding officers of His Church. The personal value, the sacred splendor of every one of you, is the very reason there is a plan for salvation and exaltation. Contrary to the parlance of the day, this is about you. No, don’t turn and look at your neighbor. I am talking to you!     UAdd a Note  

I have struggled to find an adequate way to tell you how loved of God you are and how grateful we on this stand are for you. I am trying to be voice for the very angels of heaven in thanking you for every good thing you have ever done, for every kind word you have ever said, for every sacrifice you have ever made in extending to someone—to anyone—the beauty and blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Isn't that beautiful?? The good news about his message is that I am fairly convinced that it wasn't just to me. It was to you, that's right, you. I highly recommend this talk.

I just want you to know that the Lord is aware of us in even the smallest of details, and delights to see us happy. I know that this happiness can only be found in the thanking Him for what He gives each and every day.