Tender Mercies

I hear a crying baby right now, and I love it.

Maybe love is too strong a word here. I love laughter better. But I love the energy of that baby's cry, and the trust implied in that she knows her mother will respond. Otherwise, why cry?

I also love it that I don't have to do anything, and her mother will respond. I've had my turn, after all.

The baby is a miracle, and so is her mother. The mother is married to my son, and that he is married to such a wonderful person and has two babies of his own is completely miraculous.

Tonight we'll let them know they have to move out by 3 1/2 months from this date. Doesn't matter if it's sooner. Extenuating circumstances may extend the deadline. But they will have to prepare, and be better at being self sufficient as a result.

I trust they'll rise to the occasion. Who knows, maybe they'll even learn to rely on miracles as we've had to raising a family together.

Miracles are a kind of tender mercy. Other kinds are spiritual impressions, gifts of understanding, patience and spiritual gifts.

Right now I'm especially grateful for the miracle, spiritual impressions, gifts of understanding, patience and spiritual gifts that are mine, associated with finding, marrying and raising a family with an incredible woman.

She's discouraged right now, and been crying. I know it's partly related to our son moving out, why it's necessary to tell him now, and the sadness and circumstance of missing children, gone for various reasons.

Me, I'm happy about the long view. Knowing that this life is not the end is a tremendous blessing when it comes to dealing with stubborn hearts, especially my own. I trust we'll be able to gather with our children who are willing around us in that great beyond-the-veil day, and we'll rejoice in the blessings, justice and goodness of such an incredible plan.

And I know she's happy about that too. But the immediacy of a mother's love, and the regrets for apparent short-term setbacks, are part of who she is. And she's a total package. I'm even happy about her tears, and that she cares so much.