Small Miracles, Tender Mercies, and a Father's Love

My family and I have had many "small" miracles occur in our lives.  We have also received gigantic miracles, which have tremendously blessed us, strengthened our sense of gratitude and love, and humbled us, all at the same time.  I have been thinking a lot lately about the "small" miracles that take place in my life.  I don't believe that there are "small" miracles, actually--they are all significant.  The blessings I receive are divine manifestations of love from my Heavenly Father.  They are "tender mercies" shown to me, and each one of us, through His love.  In fact, we are all children of a Divine Creator, who loves us, knows us, helps us, and guides us to help others each day.  I love my Heavenly Father and I am so grateful to Him for what He gives me.  I try to recognize these blessings, yet I am completely sure that I do not recognize them all.  In my prayers, I have been trying to include my gratitude to Him for the blessings I see, and also the ones that I don't yet see.  

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Of all the things I treasure most, being a member of Christ's church is at the top of my list.  All of my blessings--home, family, friends, education--flow through and tie into my knowledge of who I am, where I come from, and my divine potential.  I love the teachings of my church, which are, quite simply, the teachings of the Savior, Jesus Christ.  In the Book of Mormon, (a book that I believe and love), we can read about "tender mercies."  The ancient prophet, Nephi, tells us "...that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance" (1 Nephi 1:20).  (One of the current apostles of our church, Elder David A. Bednar, also spoke about the "tender mercies" of the Lord, and their impact on our lives.  Here is a link to that inspirational talk:  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/the-tender-mercies-of-the-lord?lang=eng).

I am so grateful for the tender mercies and miracles that Heavenly Father has showered down on me, and my family.  I have especially recognized lately the times that He has inspired me to help others, and created the opportunities, or "small miracles," for me to do so.  For example, I love to crochet!  Over a year ago, I found a cute pattern online for a child's hat, in the shape of a floppy-eared dog. (See the link to this pattern below. Thanks to this generous person for sharing talents and gifts)!  I felt so compelled to make that hat!  I used fuzzy, soft green and white yarn, and if I don't say so myself, it turned out great! At the time, I didn't even know why I made the hat, other than that it was cute, and that I wanted to challenge myself and see if I could make it.  The finished hat sat in my crochet basket until two weeks ago, when I finally knew WHY I was inspired to make it.

My Finished Child's Hat
from this pattern:  http://knottyknotty.blogspot.ca/2012/09/precious-puppy-hat-free-pattern.html

I serve in the Primary presidency in our ward, and work with children between the ages of 18 months and twelve years old.  One of these little children, a four-year-old named Mark, who had been in our Primary, was recently diagnosed with leukemia.  Our Primary president suggested that we have each child make cards for this little one, so we could send them to him, and brighten his day.  I was in charge of making the cards and helping the children fill them out on Sunday.  It suddenly occurred to me that the hat I made over a year ago might fit this little guy, and might help to cover his head and keep him warm as he started his treatments in Utah, where his family just moved.   I knew that we had to send the floppy-eared dog hat I had crocheted so long ago, along with the cards from our Primary kids, to Mark.

Our Primary secretary gathered the cards and hat, added some more special things on her own, and mailed them to our little friend in Utah.  After receiving the package, Mark's mom responded and said that the first thing he did was put on the hat.  He loved the cards, and so did she.  When I read that, I felt so humbled and grateful that Heavenly Father inspired us all to do something to bless someone else's life.

One of our modern-day prophets, President Spencer W. Kimball said, "God does love us and watch over us, but it is usually through another person that he meets our needs."  It is a small miracle, a tender mercy, and a humbling blessing, to take part in an event that may be a small miracle, or a tender mercy of the Lord, to another one of His children.  I am happy that Heavenly Father gave us the opportunity to help someone else.  I am also incredibly grateful for the times Heavenly Father has sent special people into my life, to bless me in my time of need or want.  Each one of us can be ministering angels to others, and this is a humbling, yet sweet, mission we can be part of while we are here on this earth.