I have wondered lately about tender mercies. We are given them more than we know. We have been told to serve others and if at all possible, to keep our service anonymous. Serve in secret. This leads me to wonder how often the Lord serves us without even knowing it. I believe I had one such experience last night.
After dinner, my children were a mess, naturally. So, I decided to bathe them. I was extremely distracted for some reason, and Nick wasn't feeling well, so thankfully my beloved sister Katie came to the rescue. She walked in the bathroom and started making her goo-goo eyes at Jordin. I left to go get Jaxon so he could join his sister in the tub. I completely forgot to turn the water off so the tub filled up a little too much. I kindly asked Katie to let some water out and forgot about it. Kate left to go do her makeup or something and I was left with my babies.
No big deal.
I was confident that my kids would be ok for 10 seconds while I went to get some clothes for Jordin so I could get her out. My kids are nuts in the tub sometimes. They like to throw toys and bang and splash, so the noise I heard during that 10 seconds was nothing out of the normal. For a split second I didn't think anything about it. I then had a strange experience. I felt and heard the word "RUN". Nick was asleep-ish and there I was alone in the room besides him. Without hesitation, I booked it to the bathroom to find something that will give any mother a heart attack. My baby was on her back with only her mouth out of the water. Her eyes were huge and she had a look of absolute panick on her face. I quickly scooped her up and to my surprise, she wasn't even choking. She looked up at me with her goofy smile like nothing had happened.
OK.....
It took me a few minutes to calm down, for my heart rate to go back to normal, and to take in what had just happened. I explained to Nick what had just happened and we thought we were pretty blessed to have such an amazing experience in following the spirit. I said a small prayer of gratitude and hugged and kissed her like never before. Little did I know at that time, it went a little deeper than that. I got the kids dressed and we headed to the TV to watch BYU take on San Diego State (Amazing game, by the way). If anyone reading this knows about Jimmer Fredette, you know how captivating his game can be. He played so well that the game took my complete attention and I completely forgot about what had just happened.
Then 2:30 a.m. happened.
Jaxon woke up with a vengeance in the middle of the night. I think he must have had a nightmare or something. Anyway, he wet his pants so I had to change him and everything so by the time I got him back in bed, I was wide awake. Awesome. Sometimes when I can't sleep I like to list things I am grateful for. I started doing that and I remembered the previous night's events. I stopped to think more in depth about what had happened and a few things ran through my mind.
1. Katie followed the spirit without really knowing it. If she had let out any less water than she did, it could have been fatal. I had a very very VERY strong impression that it would have been. It was almost like a voice telling me that I could have lost my baby tonight. I am extremely grateful for a faithful sister who listens to the spirit and is worthy to have it with her.
2. I got to the bathtub just in time. I felt very impressed that if I would have waited just 1 more second to get up and run, that also could have been fatal. That noise wasn't anything abnormal. So what made me get up and run as fast as I did?
After these 2 thoughts crossed my mind, I began to have a small panick attack. I couldn't breath, my heart was racing, but I felt more gratitude than anything else. I could literally feel the arms of my Savior around me, and him telling me through the spirit what had really taken place that night. Without the spirit, my baby would be gone. All these things took place enough for me to recognize it at the time, but when I really stopped to think about it, I was blessed with more information about what REALLY happened.
The spirit saved my baby's life.
There is no doubt in my mind that the spirit is real. There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus Christ lives and that he is watching out for us. He blesses us and guides us even when we have no idea. He has a plan and anything and everything that happens in our lives is all part of his plan. He knows us so well. He knew how distracted I was, so he sent Katie upstairs. He knew everything. He knows everything. I am so grateful for this experience. I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, it is real, it is for all people. I can't imagine my life without Jordin and I feel that I will be forever in His debt for letting her stay with us.
So here is a challenge to both of you who read this: Pay special attention to the spirit. If you wonder if it is really you or if it is in fact the spirit prompting you, never hesitate. Even if it is something that seems small and insignificant, it may not be in the end.
