The morning I learned of my mom’s breast cancer diagnosis, it felt as though my world had been pulled out from under me. My heart ached in a way it never had before, and I found myself questioning why God would allow this to happen.
All I wanted was to take this trial from my mom and carry it for her—but I knew that isn’t how life works. So, instead, I turned to my Heavenly Father and asked for strength to support my family. That’s when I began to notice the tender mercies all around me.
It started simply—with fabric and a sewing machine.
After learning of my mom’s diagnosis, I decided to make her a quilt to have during chemotherapy—a physical reminder of my love for her when I couldn’t be there. I had one week to finish the quilt top before taking it to my aunt, who would help complete it. So, I got to work.
The first tender mercy came as I searched for fabric. I envisioned something pink for breast cancer awareness, with honeybees—my mom’s favorite. At the store, I couldn’t find anything that matched what I had imagined, and I worried I would have to settle. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw it: a beautiful collection of pink and yellow fabric adorned with honeybees, flowers, and honeycombs. It felt like an answer to my prayers.
With the fabric in hand, I began piecing the quilt together. Not long after, my sewing machine started having problems. When the quilt was only a third of the way finished, the machine stopped working altogether. I had just one day left before I needed to leave. I hadn’t finished the quilt, and I had no solution.
The only thing I could think to do was pray.
So I asked God for help, and I invited my friends and cousins to pray, too. I knew that if anything would help, it would be the faith that comes from humble prayer. The next day after work, I sat down at my sewing machine with my fragile faith. I turned it on, and miraculously, it worked. The machine that hadn’t functioned the night before now stitched smoothly, better than it had all week. I was able to finish the quilt and give it to my mom before her treatments even began.
When my machine restarted, I knew then that God had heard not only that prayer but also every prayer I had offered and every prayer I would offer. Sometimes we get the answer we hope for, and sometimes we don’t, and sometimes we have to wait for an answer. No matter the answer, God hears us and has a perfect plan for each of us. He has provided a Savior who understands us perfectly.
I know Heavenly Father is aware of my family, of me, and of every single one of us, because I have seen it. Truly, “the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith” (1 Nephi 1:20). These miracles are all around us—found in small moments, in the kindness of others, and in the strength He gives us to move forward.
Trust in Heavenly Father’s plan. Trust in a Savior who knows you. You are not alone. There are tender mercies all around you.
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