Tender Mercies

But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you 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 (Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 1:20).

I've been at my new job for over 2½ months now. It's been a very difficult experience for me, being placed in a demanding position yet not knowing enough yet to meet even small requests. I've been trying to learn as fast as I can, because I don't like feeling incompetent. Sitting in my office all day each day, staring intently at my computer monitor has taken its toll on me in more ways than one. This week it has been on my right eye, which is hurting from all the strain. It's happened to me before. My solution was to buy a pirate-like eye patch at the pharmacy and wear it for a few days to give that eye a rest.

But in our recent move, my eye patch has gone missing. I looked for it at the house last night, and arrived at work this morning hoping I had brought it there with other things from my last job, but I couldn't find it. I knew I would have a really hard time working effectively today without an eye patch, so I left to go to the pharmacy to buy another one. As I did, I thought confidently, "Heavenly Father will help me get an eye patch."

When I arrived at the only pharmacy in town, it wasn't open yet. If I had thought about it before I left, I would have known that. I left my car running at the curb and went to the door of the pharmacy to check their hours. They open at 9am, as I had thought. I didn't want to have to come back later, and I didn't know anywhere else in town that would carry eye patches.

As I stood there, a lady came to the door of the pharmacy, opened it, and asked if I needed anything. I said I did, but that I knew they didn't open until 9:00. She asked if I needed anything from the pharmacy (they have cards and gifts there too). I asked if they sold eye patches. She said they did, and let me in and showed me where they were. I promptly purchased one, thanked her, and drove back to work.

I knew immediately that it was a miracle, a "tender mercy" from the Lord. In retrospect, I believe that my confident thought that Heavenly Father would help me find another eye patch was not merely a passing thought in my mind, but rather an inspired thought from the Holy Ghost. (We don't always know the source of our thoughts, but it is up to us to judge what we believe to be good and what we will act on.) I was filled with gratitude that Heavenly Father was mindful of my problem, and that He helped me find a solution.

Heavenly Father is aware of our needs and will help us as we call upon Him for assistance. I believe that no concern of ours is too small or insignificant. The Lord is in the details of our lives (Thomas S. Monson, Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Consider The Blessings," October 2012).

Why does God not help me solve all my problems this way? some may ask. But I know the answer, because I have children of my own. I want them to learn and to grow, and to experience the joy of their capabilities and capacities developing and unfolding. Not all learning and growing experiences are pleasant (though neither are they all painful). If I answered their every question and supplied my children's every want I would be doing them a great disservice. It is the same with God and us. He is literally our Spirit Father, and we are literally His children. By this definition, we are capable of becoming like He is. The ramifications of this are, at present, scarcely fathomable to our mortal, finite minds. But I know that He watches over each one of us with an individual care and attention that far exceeds what a mortal parent could do even if that parent were to hover over their child constantly, which no mortal parent can. He is always accessible, never distant, and cannot forget us.

Again we ask: why does God not help me solve all my problems this way? Actually, I think that He is willing to. Here is another account of a similar miracle. Ether 2:22-3:6 contains a scriptural account of the Lord helping someone solve a problem. He wants to help and indeed, in His Omnipotence, it would be easy for him to remove all struggle and obstacles from our lives. Rather, we have access to His Grace through our faith, our repentance, our best doable efforts, and our patient trust in both Him and His Timetable. He will help us as we strive to do what's right and seek His will above our own.

He Ceaseth Not To Be God

And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles. (The Book of Mormon, Mormon 9:19)

For the past month I've been studying for my second exam in a series of five that I need to pass in order to gain a professional certification I'm seeking. When I arrived at the testing center this morning, for confirmation they asked me what exam I was there to take. It was then I discovered that I had inadvertently registered for the third exam in the series, not the second that I was prepared for.

I had already paid $150 to register for the test, and it was too late to cancel or change tests. The only choice I had was either to take the test I had registered for or not (and lose the money).

The first miracle is in my reaction to this. I was calm, relatively. I realized that freaking out or making a fuss wasn't going to help anything. I decided to go ahead and take the exam, since I would have to take it later and at least it would give me practice.

Of all five exams in the series, this third one is probably the one I have the most real experience with in my job. But I still encountered many concepts I was not familiar with. Thankfully the tests are multiple choice and I could rule out some choices and make educated guesses. For two and a half hours I went over the 75 questions, changing many of my initial answers.

I received a print-out of the results after finishing, and was delighted to see that I had passed (just barely)!

You might say that I had some lucky guesses. You could say that I'm a pretty good test taker. Maybe I was just familiar enough with the concepts and terminology because of my work. But to me, it was a miracle. A blessing from my Heavenly Father.

Why it strikes me as such is partly due to my situation. I have a full-time job and am trying to support my family of six on a single income in troubled economic times. I also spend many hours each week fulfilling my Church responsibilities. I am trying to spend quality time with my children, because I don't want to miss seeing them grow up. I am seeking this certification to advance my career and be a better provider. I have been prayerful in seeking the Lord's help in my life and trying to do His will.

I do not say these things to boast, but because I believe this is how I have shown my faith by my works (see James 2:18). In both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, we are taught that miracles are wrought by faith.

And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased?

Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?

Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain (Moroni 7:35-37).

However, faith is not a way to manipulate God. The greatest faith of all was expressed by Him who prayed

Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done (Luke 22:42).

I was ready to accept not passing my exam today. Faith is not faith if it is hinged on a certain outcome.

Verily, I say unto you, there are those among you who seek signs, and there have been such even from the beginning;

But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe.

Yea, signs come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God (Doctrine & Covenants 63:8-10).

Faith is doing the best we can, trusting that God knows, sees, and understands far more than we do; and He will take care of things according to His good will. He loves us. We are his children. He knows each of us by name, and somehow watches over each one of us, guiding our steps and customizing our individual curriculum.

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him (Job 13:15).