The Tender Mercies of the Lord - Aug 28th

The last few days have been very hard but there also have been some incredible, touching moments that we have been able to experience as Beth prepares to return home. Some have been fleeting moments, some have been memories, some have been conversations with family.  Last night I had one of those experiences. This morning, I woke up and was pondering about what happened and was reminded of a talk and true principle that was taught by one of our General Authorities.  

In 2005, Elder David A Bednar, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave a General Conference Talk titled, The Tender Mercies of the Lord.  He describes the “tender mercies of the Lord” as “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.”  Last night I had an opportunity to experience one of the Lord’s tender mercies. After two days of not being awake or coherent for most of the day, Beth woke up a little before 2am. She nudged me and woke me up and said, “Alan, what happened today?  I don’t remember anything.”  She was as wide awake, alert and articulate as she has been in the last week or so. Her voice was clear and not raspy; her voice actually startled me as I had not heard that voice in weeks. Sleepily I rolled over and answered her. We talked about about what happened during the day, who had come over to visit, what the kids did.  She told me about some of the dreams she has had, some funny and some more serious.  We shared memories.  We just talked, like we used to do every night before bed.  Our conversation ended up lasting almost 2 hours.  I had so longed for a chance to talk to Beth like that - uninterrupted for an extended period of time.  It was a blessing, therapy for me, a tender mercy of the Lord.  

Elder Bednar taught us that, “...the Lord’s tender mercies do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Faithfulness, obedience, and humility invite tender mercies into our lives, and it is often the Lord’s timing that enables us to recognize and treasure these important blessings.” I am so thankful that I was able to recognize and treasure this blessing I had been given.  

Lastly, Elder Bednar testified that “...that the tender mercies of the Lord are available to all of us and that the Redeemer of Israel is eager to bestow such gifts upon us.”