Tender Mercies

"I have come to better understand that 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). ~David A. Bednar

It's been an interesting few months. Probably about 6-8 weeks ago, I started having the very distinct and strong impression that my time in our ward Primary was coming to close and that I should take it in and enjoy everything in the time I had left. I dismissed that impression because it wasn't something I wanted to even consider. But the feeling would not be dismissed. Eventually I said something to Mark about it. We happened to be eating Chinese food in a neighborhood place and we both sat there with tears running down our faces as we discussed it.

It was the following Sunday that the Bishop called me into his office to let me know that I was being released, and told me that the stake had asked for me and told us the story of the inspiration the Stake Primary President had received. He said his first response was 'absolutely not!' but then decided he needed to honor her request by praying about it. The answer he received was that she was right and it was time for me to move on. So they began the process of replacing us and our presidency, and I was called as a counselor in the Stake Primary.

What's really wonderful is that when the Bishop asked if I had any recommendations for a replacement, only one name came to me and I passed that name on to him. My counselors and secretary all came up with the same name. And when the new presidency was sustained, the new president was the person whose name was so clear to me. It made it very easy to sustain and support the changes.

But I wanted that feeling about my new calling too, and I've been praying for inspiration about it. The feelings I have had are very specific and very clear: that I need to pay attention, listen, work hard, and learn all I can. Also, that I need to love the ward primary leaders, and do everything I can to help them love their Primary children and their callings.

Last night, I was set apart by the high councilor who supervises the Stake Primary and it was truly a tender mercy for me to hear the things he said as he set me apart. They were the very impressions and feelings I've had already. He reinforced those things, reminded me that I am loved by our Heavenly Father, and that I need to seek out the one, whether it's a child or a Primary leader. He also told me that I had a job to do that no one else could do - that it was something only I could carry out. And he ended by telling me that Heavenly Father had great confidence in me and loved me.

What a gift! And now I am ready to go. I'm so thankful for that specific tender mercy in my life.