Tender Mercies

Tender mercies, Elder Bednar spoke on this subject many conferences ago and since then I have tried to look at my own life and find those instances where I have seen a tender mercy.  For purposes of this post, I am going to define tender mercy as moment when I have seen the Lord's hand and recognized the love He has shown me.  There are two moments that stand out to me from the recent past that I wanted to share.


Moment One:  I think I have shared a part of this one, so if this is familiar, go a head and skip to moment two.  About a year and a half ago I started getting a pain in my knuckle just below my middle finger.  I didn't think too much of it even though it never really went away.  In combination with this there would be days when my arm would hurt so badly I could barely move it.  One day I noticed the knuckle was red and swollen, so I decided I should just go see the doctor.  I got into the doctor and she did her exam and casually mentions, this could be rheumatoid arthritis.  She said to just take some Motrin and I should be fine.  I went on my merry way and then it seemed like all hell broke loose in my body.  Everything started hurting and Motrin didn't work.  I went back to the doctor, she didn't believe me and wouldn't help.  (I know you are thinking, how could this be a tender mercy, I promise I am getting there.)


Probably two months later, I had given up finding any help.  My doctor didn't believe me and was unwilling to help and the pain was getting worse.  At this time, I got really sick and went to an instant care.  I found out I had a double ear infection and a chest infection.  I took my antibiotics but wasn't feeling completely better.  I decided to do what I had vowed never to do again and make an appointment with my doctor.  The day of the appointment came and my regular doctor ended up getting sick so I was sent to another doctor.


I saw Dr. Conner and he asked if I had any other concerns besides my ear infection.  I mentioned the pain I was having and the things the previous doctor had said.  He looked up my blood results and decided I really needed to see a rheumatologist.  He got me on pain medicine and an anti-inflammatory plus he set me up with a referral for the rheumatologist.  I will forever be grateful for Dr. Conner.  Because of him, I am getting the help I need.


How does this relate to tender mercies?  The Lord knew I had given up so He put a situation in my life which led me to people who could help me.  I was also blessed to have a wonderful visiting teaching companion who is my age and also has RA.  I knew I could talk to her and she would understand everything I was feeling physically and emotionally.  This situation taught me that Lord is aware and will bless us in unexpected ways.


Moment Two:   I started hearing this thumping sound in my ear a few months ago.  Once again I brushed it off but then I got sick and went to the doctor.  Since I was at the doctor, I thought I would mention it.  I learned this could be a sign of a brain tumor or aneurysm.  It wasn't cool to hear that and I was sent to an Ear, Nose, Throat Specialist for a second opinion.  After a very scary MRI, I learned I don't have a brain tumor or aneurysm but the thumping may be caused due to a lack of oxygen.  The ENT wanted me to do a sleep study and I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea.  Now I get to wear a nifty mask when I sleep to help me breath.  The point is, my body is now able to get the rest it actually needs and my quality of life is improving.


Maybe this is a silly example, but I would never have gotten a sleep study if it hadn't been for this darn ear thumping.  I know the Lord is aware because He has put these things in my life and I have come out better in the end.  I cannot and do not doubt the Lord loves me because I have seen His hand in my life.  I know there are many more instances in my life but I need to look for them.