Comments on: I saw the sign

By: Becky

Becky — Tue, 27 May 2008 02:26:38 +0000

I full well expect to be dragged into one of those type of appts any day now. My teenage son is struggling with his relationship with dad. Big time. We’re doing our best, but it doesn’t quite seem like enough these days. That said, I did see the tender mercies of the Lord last night, as this son came into our bedroom and sat down to talk…sweetly, with no hatred in his voice. We really needed that, as the night before, he had run away from us to go stay with a friend because he was angry.

By: nanajan

nanajan — Mon, 26 May 2008 04:29:47 +0000

I have also struggled with teenagers who aren’t doing as they should; it is definitely an emotional roller coaster. Something that really changed my perspective happened when our son was using drugs and it felt like our family was falling apart. My daughter said, “the worst thing (name of son on drugs) has done is taken away our happy parents.” From that moment on I realized that I had control over whether one child’s bad choices could ruin the spirit in our home for everyone. After that I made a conscious decision to put on a smile and make our home happy in spite of the struggles.

By: S.Faux

S.Faux — Thu, 22 May 2008 11:30:51 +0000

What an insightful essay. Thank you so very much.

I am in my mid to upper fifties, and all my children are adults, except one. I have a fourteen year old boy. Nearly everyday I say to myself, “I am too old to raise a teenager.” He is quick witted, sharp-tongued, and speaks every thought without thought. In the morning I can get a hug, and in the afternoon I can be told I am inadequate. As a result, I can feel my body aging — rapidly.

Hang in there — that is all we can do. And yes, if we are blessed with the sign of a tender mercy, then the daily journey goes a little easier until tomorrow’s next crisis.

By: Rachelle

Rachelle — Wed, 21 May 2008 05:51:40 +0000

Heavenly Father often answers prayers in the most unexpected moments. My normally outgoing 10 year old son seems absolutely terrified at the thought of bearing his testimony. I told him I never expected him to bear his testimony (whatever that might consist of) until he was ready. I did however pray for opportunities to help him overcome his fear. A few weeks into this praying cycle I embarrassed myself in relief society with an ill timed (but well meant) emotial outburst. I promised I would keep absolutely silent the next week. That Monday we got asked to talk in church. My first thought was a heaven sent, “very funny and I’m sorry I made such a silly vow.” I immediately requested my son be asked to speak also (It was mother’s day. How hard is that topic?) He was horrified at my betrayal. But I knew he could overcome his fear. A few days later I realized Heavenly Father had provided an opportunity for both my son and myself to overcome our fears by inspiring others and serving him through our talks. My son did great delivering his talk and I vowed never to promise that I wouldn’t share my thoughts in church again. I’m also careful about what I pray for where my children are concerned. Somehow I always get dragged along on the answer to those prayers.

By: FoxyJ

FoxyJ — Wed, 21 May 2008 03:31:40 +0000

I’ve been trying to remember to pray for the ability to see signs in my life, so I hope that I will continue to do that. This afternoon during my little guy’s nap time I decided to check a few blogs of people I know from my ward. One of my neighbors mentioned some difficult things going on in her life today and I felt prompted to write her a note or do something for her. I hesitated because I don’t know her well and I’m sure people in her family and her friends are there for her too. I didn’t want to intrude. Just then my son woke up from his nap. Forty minutes early. Just enough time to run to the store before picking my daughter up from preschool. I bought her a nice little magnet with an inspirational quote, put it inside a nice note, and clipped it to her door. And then I felt better. I hope my son waking up early was a sign for me to do something nice.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 21 May 2008 01:20:15 +0000

I just had to tell you I so appreciated this post. Thanks.

By: your sister

your sister — Tue, 20 May 2008 23:26:38 +0000

Really great post.

My nearly 12 year old daughter is my challenge too.
Thanks for your example.
Honestly, I wish I could pay closer attention to the needs of those around me……think I’ll pray for that.

By: Jennie

Jennie — Tue, 20 May 2008 18:17:50 +0000

I think those little things happen to tell us that the Lord loves and cares about us, but our lesson is not done being taught. Sometimes when we’re in the midst of a long, drawn out trial with no end in sight it can be easy to believe that the Lord has forgotten us. Giving us little blessings are His way of telling us that He is still mindful of us, even in our hard times.

By: m&m

m&m — Tue, 20 May 2008 18:08:24 +0000

Thank you for this post. I had one of these tender mercies just yesterday. I have been so grateful for Elder Bednar’s talk on tender mercies because he reminded us many times that the timing of things can help us discern them. Running into a woman at the store who knew about my health problems and asked and empathized, on a day when I was barely able to scrape myself together enough to go to the store, had that kind of timing element to it…but I almost missed it until I was driving home and the Spirit quietly helped me see what that conversation was — a gift from heaven.

God knows what we need, even when we don’t know what to ask for.

By: C Jones

C Jones — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:44:56 +0000

Parenting teenagers is the most challenging thing I’ve ever done. Once, while on my knees, I was told that it wasn’t all on me– that my kids have their own agency for a reason, that they were His children too, that He loved them even more then I could, and that they were in His care. It felt like a ton had been lifted from my shoulders when I realized that I could just turn it all over to God sometimes.