Thankful for Tender Mercies

Since my mom passed away last February, I have really been dreading this upcoming holiday season, and with the official kickoff of the holidays this week (the festivities start with Halloween around these parts), and my birthday yesterday, I have been feeling her absence something fierce these last few weeks. I knew that this holiday season was going to be a particularly difficult one for me - it being the first of many without her, but as my birthday approached, I started to feel myself dipping into a depressed emotional state - one that I know has been affecting my ability to be a good wife and mom. 

I am not going to lie . . . I’ve been having a little pity party lately, entertaining thoughts that since my mom is longer here, there is no one left that understands me like she does, no one who loves me like she does, or takes a genuine, sincere interest in my happiness like she does. I don't doubt that pregnancy hormones had a role to play in all of this emotional chaos, but I also know these negative thoughts have been contributing to my unhappiness lately. 

My sister-in-law, The Purple Lady, recently extended an invitation for me to join in on her traditional 30-days-of-gratitude challenge, and I knew it was a message from the Lord that I needed to focus on the things in my life that I am thankful for, and that doing so would bring me joy this holiday season. So, here it goes . . . 

Today is day one of the challenge - and today, I am thankful for tender mercies. Just tonight, I attended my daughter’s Young Women in Excellence program at church, and I was reminded by a special guest speaker that I am a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father who knows ME, who understands my struggles, and wants me to be happy. 

During the speaker’s talk, we read 1 Corintians 10:13, which says:

“There is no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

I think in this scripture, it’s safe to say that we can also replace the word, “temptation” with “trial” or “suffering,” and it still holds true, and reflecting on this scripture tonight reminded me that this IS true in my own life.

I know the Lord allows us to endure certain trials because they are meant to strengthen us. I can’t tell you how much my testimony of the Savior’s Atonement has grown since my mother passed away - because I have seen first hand how the Atonement applies in my life - and I know that I HAD to experience this trial for that growth to be achieved. Despite that knowledge, however, the trial has not always been easy to bear, and I am grateful for the simple reminder I received tonight that the Lord is on my side, and that with his comfort to fortify me, I can and will get through this too. 

When I got home from the program tonight, I hopped on Facebook and soon found myself reading an old post that I wrote a few months back, where I spoke about a tender mercy I had received regarding a playlist I had put together after my mom’s passing - how listening to it that day brought such a tremendous feeling of comfort and peace, and how I was also reminded then of God’s love for me. 

It was almost as if by reading this post, the Lord just wanted to remind me (once again) that He has always been right there beside me . . . to guide and comfort me in my sorrow, and to strengthen me when I think I can’t possibly bear the weight of it all on my own.

I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who does hear and answer my prayers. I am grateful for my knowledge that because of His perfect Plan of Happiness, I WILL be together with my mom again, and I am grateful for the tender mercies I receive daily to remind me of His love for ME. 

Photo Credit: The Purple Lady

A Testimony of Prayer

Gems of Reflection - Week 19

There is not a day goes by that I don't receive answers to prayers on one level or another. As a mother, I am constantly praying for guidance and direction with regards to rearing my children. I know that I've received an answer when a problem arises and the words needed to invite the spirit and teach a valuable lesson enter my mind as though the Spirit whispered them into my ear directly. Every day that my husband and children return home unharmed, I know that a prayer has been answered - for I pray for their safety daily. In times of struggle, I recognize the hand of the Lord when I feel his comforting arms around me.

There are also many epic moments in my life that were grand answers to prayers  When I found out that I was pregnant with our son, that was an answer to our prayers. The day I was sealed to my husband and our daughter was able to be sealed to us, that was an answer to a prayer, as was the day our baby girl (who just turned one in April...crazy!) was born. We were able to bring her into this world via a v-bac, avoiding another c-section, and my testimony of prayer was strengthened tremendously that day, as we had been praying for such a result for months.

I feel so blessed to be able to see the hand of the Lord in my life on a daily basis. It is a constant reflection of His love for us, and I have a firm testimony that He truly does hear and answer our prayers.

Related Link:

Gems of Reflection

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 4: A testimony

Photo by The Purple Lady

Seeing as how today is Fast Sunday, I felt that it would be appropriate to focus my thoughts on how grateful I am for a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is His true church, that He is my Savior, and that the gospel was restored by the prophet Joseph Smith through divine revelation. I know that The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, and that we have a true prophet on the Earth today.

I am grateful for a temple in our midst, and I have a testimony that the work performed there is ordained of God, that families can be together forever, and that immense blessings will come to those who remain worthy to hold a recommend and return to the temple often.

I am grateful for the power of the priesthood, and I know that through that power, amazing miracles can be performed and we can be blessed according to our faith. I am grateful for an incredible, loving, husband who honors his priesthood and cherishes the covenants that were made the day we were sealed in the temple for time and all eternity.

I am also grateful for the Plan of Salvation and for the knowledge I possess that I am a daughter of our Heavenly Father, that I am of divine worth, and have a purpose on this Earth. I know where I came from and where I am going - and that knowledge brings me comfort in times of trial, allowing me to see things from an eternal perspective. 

I strive each day to emulate the example of the Savior; though some days I fall short. I do know; however, that because of the Atonement, I can be forgiven of my shortcomings and can become perfected in Him, so that one day I might return to live with my Heavenly Father again.

Finally, I am grateful for the Purple Lady's invitation to participate in the Thirty Days of Gratitude challenge. It has given me the opportunity to pause for a moment each day to look past the daily trials life brings, to count my blessings, and to thank my Heavenly Father for all of the many things that uplift and enhance my life. :)