First Smiles and Tender Mercies

In Seminary I remember studying a talk by David A. Bednar entitled "The Tender Mercies of the Lord". He described that "the Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts...One of the ways whereby the Savior comes to each of us is through His abundant and tender mercies."

Here is mine.

Last Saturday night, I was sitting on my bed, holding my baby boy. It had been a long day and of course I was exhausted. My mind was on grocery shopping, cleaning our messy apartment and the long night of feeding and soothing that was ahead of me. Then I looked down at my sweet boy and he gave me his first real smile! It was a large, open-mouthed, toothless grin...and it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. At that moment I was no longer tired or dreading the sleepless night ahead. My only thoughts were of how much I loved the little person that was laying in my arms and what a gift he is to me.

(I haven't been able to capture his smile with the camera... yet)