Tender Mercies

I don't believe in coincidences.

I believe that people and events are put in your path in order for you to understand that you are not alone in this world and that God does watch over you.  If He could be right here with you, He would hold your hand through every trial, answer every question and daily concern by whispering in your ear, and carry you through every storm.  God knows each of us personally and wants us to have joy in this life.  He can perform miracles in our lives, but He often answers prayers through other people with whom we have contact.  “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 82).  These are the tender mercies of the Lord, those things that some people call "coincidences."

Right after my cancer diagnosis, Stephen and I were able to go out on a date and try to process the situation.  As we sat in the booth, crying over uneaten food, we noticed our server was ready to wrap up the ticket.  She kept awkwardly checking in on us, trying to avoid the tears and what I'm sure she thought was a terrible break-up.  Stephen wrote a note on the check with the tip, explaining and apologizing.  Soon after, our server came back and explained how sorry she was and that she knows a little bit about what we're going through, since her mom had stage 3 breast cancer.  I marveled at the tender mercy when it happened then.

Just Friday, we were able to go out again.  We decided to go back to the same restaurant, mainly because Stephen has a dish he knows he can eat there.  Seated in a different section on a different night, the same server walked to our table.  I recognized her and reminded her of the kindness she'd shown us weeks before.  She hardly recognized us at first, Stephen having lost weight and hair, and me in a pink wig, but was so excited to be our server again.  She kept saying, "I can't believe this is happening...again!" This new friend, Rachel, now understanding this connection we have, wanted to make she she would see us again.  She gave us her number and said to text her anytime we want to come back, and she would come be our server---whether she was scheduled or not.  She was seeing her mom the next day, and couldn't wait to share another connection and this incredible story. We talked and shared battle scars, and I was overwhelmed with the "coincidence" that brought our paths in line again.

I have a testimony that we are not alone in this world.  We are known as individuals with unique traits and talents, with incredible stories and heartbreaking challenges.  As we connect with each other and serve one another, we will see how our Father in Heaven blesses us through others in our great human family.

And, if we just look around and start making connections, we just might start to see more and more how there aren't really any "coincidences," but chances for the Lord to help us see His love in our lives.