Mercies In Disguise

As I am getting older and am having more experiences in life, I have learned that each of us have trials. I am not sure if it is because of Social Media that we hear of hard times in people’s lives more often these days or if there really are just more sad and hard trials on this earth as time goes on.

I have had the opportunity to meet friends virtually and physically, who have touched my heart more than they will ever know. I read an article in the March 2014 Ensign the other day that I wish to share with you all.

“Preslee was a bright and energetic 18-month-old. She had blond hair that usually had a mind of its own, piercing blue eyes, and a love of all things little girl—especially necklaces. Her turn on earth was short, but her impact was immeasurable.

On a warm night in July, little Preslee was with relatives while her parents, Pat and Ashley, went on a date. A few hours later, her parents received a phone call telling them that Preslee had fallen into a canal and that they needed to go straight to the hospital.

After falling into the canal, Preslee had floated about a mile and a half downstream, where she bumped into the leg of Jeff Call, a farmer who was working in the canal. He was about ready to leave but had decided he needed to put one last board in the ditch where he was irrigating. Jeff immediately began CPR, while his brother Mike called for medical help.

Many months before the accident, Preslee’s mother had created a blog on which she shared happy stories and photos as Preslee grew and experienced life. After the accident, the blog became a way for the family to update concerned family and friends on Preslee’s fight for life in the hospital.

Through social media, word of Preslee’s accident spread quickly, and within a few days, the blog had tallied more than 300,000 views. People were drawn to her story, offering prayers and kind words of support.” You can read more of Preslee’s story and follow The Sullenger’s Blog here.

Often times I ask myself, why do BAD things happen to GOOD people? It makes me sad and honestly often times frustrates me. One of my favorite songs that I find comfort in often is called, “Blessings” by Laura Story. You can listen to it here:

“‘Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise.”

When hard times come and trials that look like they are never ending happen in our lives, what do we do? How do we react?

“Never assume that you can make it alone. You need the help of the Lord. Never hesitate to get on your knees in some private place and speak with Him.”- Gordon B. Hinckley, “Stay on the High Road,” Ensign, May 2004, 114

Every person’s trials are different. In fact, my own sister and I always talk about how our trials are COMPLETELY opposite. She can get pregnant perfectly timed according to her schedule and has even had a little surprise baby blessing her life recently! Where my little family had to go through several medical procedures to get our ONE little miracle girl. I do know that our Heavenly Father is there for us no matter how big or small the trial may seem to you or others  around you. We should not do it alone. We can not do it alone.

I love the story of the Footprints in the Sand. A man is dreaming of walking on the beach with the Lord and he sees two footprints in the sand, one is his and one is the Lord’s. Moments of his life were flashing through the sky and he noticed at times the two footprints, turned into one. This bothered the man and he asked the Lord, “Why in the hardest and darkest times of my life did you leave me? There was one set of footprints in the sand during my saddest times. Those are the days I needed you the MOST!” And the Lord replied, “The moments you saw only one set of footprints, was when I carried you.”

May God carry each of us through our hardest days. Through each trial that comes into our lives, I hope we will remember to turn to Him. Just as The Sullenger’s have done and continue to do, may we trust in the Lord and have Him carry us. And in due time, we may see that our trials are our mercies in disguise.

Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day!

February 23, 2014 by Danielle Davis | 5 Comments