I did some review of emails I’ve sent to sponsees this morning and scheduled them as questions to go over with the group. I’m a bit anxious about that process of emailing to the group and will see how it goes.
I don’t want to take on the roll of someone that thinks I “have it all figured out” at all.
Like Moses and Ammon, I “know that I am nothing.” But I am trying to put my trust in God and do the best I can.
As I contemplated what to read today, I thought about studying what’s being taught in Sunday School since I’m not able to be there with Tyson that much.
This scripture section stuck out to me in 1 Nephi Chapter 1:
I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender cmercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of ddeliverance.
What are the tender mercies of the Lord?
How do they make me “mighty even unto the power of deliverance?”
I know Elder Bednar has shared a talk about tender mercies. I’ll look that up.
I have felt and feel the weight of the call to serve and of the responsibility to teach with clarity and to testify with authority.
Just reading this statement helps me connect with him. He has felt and feels anxious, stressed, a pressure to perform, a weight.
Here is one of the answers of what a tender mercy is and how to identify it:
A loving Savior was sending me a most personal and timely message of comfort and reassurance through a hymn selected weeks previously. Some may count this experience as simply a nice coincidence, but I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often, the Lord’s timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them.
It makes me ask the question: what are tender mercies I’ve felt recently?
Here’s a list as I brainstorm:
- Yesterday, after not acting very well with Caleb, I had the tender mercy come to me as a feeling that I needed to make amends and apologize for how I’d treated him. After that interaction, the whole feeling with the kids changed and we had a great night together.
- Having the opportunity to help Becky, who has a strained neck, has been a tender mercy: it’s a way I can provide safety and help re-build the trust I’ve lost due to my choices.
- Becky is such a tender mercy. She has had every right to leave me, to cut ties, to move on, and to take the kids with her. She has no obligation to work her own recovery or to do any of the things that she’s been doing, but she’s doing them. She’s my best friend; she’s a miracle in my life. She’s such an example to me and such a tender mercy from God.
- Being asked to be the facilitator in the SAL meeting is a tender mercy. I was nervous to do it, but I feel so connected with the men in my group and want to lead by example of what recovery looks like and feels like.
- Where we live, our home and our ward – these are HUGE tender mercies I can’t even believe. What huge blessings we’ve received as we moved to this home: our ward, our children’s friends, the “new normal” we’re trying to live. These weren’t a “nice coincidence.” They did not occur randomly or merely by coincidence.
- Little Tyson is such a tender mercy. He has helped “tie” Becky and I back together after the terrible choices I’ve made in the past. I can’t even explain how grateful I feel for this little tender mercy, this sweet angel from Heaven.
- I feel all of our children are tender mercies. They each have such sweet personalities, unique and individual to them. And they help me realize how broken I am and how much I need to rely on the Savior and the Father for strength, support and guidance.
These are a few tender mercies that come to mind right now. I know there are others.
Here’s another answer about what the tender mercies of the Lord are:
…the Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly, the Lord suits “his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men” (D&C 46:15).
I’m grateful for this study.
I have and do feel the tender mercies of the Lord as I try to submit my will to Him.
I need to go help my family now.
Hasta luego!
Nate
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