Here is another installment in my Tender Mercies article series. Today's story comes from Diana Johnson, who writes:

Leslie, I'm so grateful I met you about 7-8 months before my husband's stroke. Reading your books increased my faith and helped put me in the frame of mind to experience so many miracles. With all my heart, I KNOW that God multiplies what we have when we share! He has already shown this to me.

Back in 2006, I gave my sister my share of profits from the sale of our parents' home (about $10,000, because she was in dire need). We were in need as well; but I felt her need was greater. That, plus a loan of about $3,000, which I eventually forgave.

Ten years later, my husband suffered a massive stroke, and could no longer work. Miraculously, it happened when his Wal-Mart bus run was cancelled due to BYUI students leaving for Christmas. Otherwise, his stroke would have occurred while driving a busload of students!

And when our need was the greatest (after my husband's stroke), the amount I gave my sister was returned to me, multiplied, in a miraculous, unexpected way:

I received a certified letter in the mail, which at first I ignored, thinking it was just another notice from the IRS. When I finally picked up the letter from the post office, I was informed that a previously unknown retirement was waiting for me from BYUI, where I had taught for 15 years. I had worked part-time, but was told that part time and adjunct instructors receive no retirement. Yet, here was a certified letter informing me of a lump sum which had been held for me for years, and growing without my knowledge. 

That unexpected retirement was close to $24,000, equivalent to one year's salary that my husband made at a part-time job just before his stroke. And this has lasted us much longer than a year, due to other financial miracles: donations, an unexpected deposit from Social Security to our credit union account with a letter (which showed up later) informing us that they had not credited my husband properly for his military service!

While my husband was still in intensive care, I also received a call from DMBA (my retirement account), informing me that they had discovered another $5,000 plus that was owed me. This was exactly the extra amount I needed to pay for home medical equipment I had ordered, and didn't know how I would pay for it! 

And then, when my husband suffered a relapse, putting him back in intensive care, my son tried to give us a thousand dollars to help pay the hospital bill.  They were expecting a new baby, so I told him to keep it until they had enough saved for their baby.  But two days later, I received a hospital bill discounted over $1000 (beyond the Medicare discounts)!!... 

...I have learned that when we live in LOVE, FAITH, and GENEROSITY, the Lord can return the same for us, in every time of need!

Diana shared more details about her miracles on Facebook here, included below:

WATCH WITH ME! – A HOLY CHRISTMAS MEMORY

One year ago, Val and I (and many family members) spent the Christmas Holidays in Intensive Care! Yet, amazingly, it was a sacred and joyful Christmas and New Year! We were surrounded by family, friends, caring staff, and ministering angels!

Christmas Eve, I received the sacred opportunity of “watching with the Savior.” Family members had left. I told them I would follow shortly…. I was about to leave the hospital to drive home, shower, change into clean clothes and return. I knew if I waited too long, it would be difficult to stay awake driving 40 minutes home on icy roads! As I was about to leave, Val’s distress and pain increased! The thought came to me, “Diana, this is your chance to “watch with the Savior….” I pondered this prompting, remembering the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, returning several times to his disciples and stating,

“'Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.'”

…and he began to be very sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.”

"And he [Jesus] went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

"And Jesus cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, 'What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray,… the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'" [Matthew 26:36-41]

I weep when I hear this story, wishing I could have had the opportunity to “watch with the Savior.” Women are often called upon to stay up all night with crying babies, sick children, elderly parents, etc. “So why couldn’t there have been at least one woman to ‘watch with the Savior’ during his hours of agony in Gethsemane?”

I knew my limits to driving home late at night on icy roads; but here was that opportunity to “watch with the Savior…” to be His hands in comforting Val… (I will always remember my Aunt Anne Call who did the same for me after surgery. She spoke no words; but simply sat in a chair near my bed. I was extremely ill; but each time I opened my eyes, there was my Aunt Anne, sitting near me ALL DAY when I was at my worst. She was a very busy woman, but took the time to “watch with me.”)

Now, I was being given the same opportunity. I set my things back down and stayed with Val until he was comforted, out of extreme distress, and sleeping peacefully.... I knew I still needed to drive home, but was too exhausted to drive safely. I slept in the Intensive Care Chapel for a few hours. Then I returned to check on Val and make certain he was safe and protected. He was still sleeping very peacefully. So I knew this was the time to drive home for a change of clothes…. As I exited the hospital at 3 or 4am on Christmas morning, I could feel the presence of MANY angels of light ministering to the sick.

It was peaceful, still and holy! I sensed that the Hospital was surrounded and filled with angels (both visible and invisible, earthly and heavenly)!! This is the one of the most sacred and truly memorable Christmas’s I have ever experienced! And I am deeply grateful for that opportunity! It was an HONOR to lose sleep in comforting my husband; and thus become an instrument in serving Christ. MY GRATITUDE GROWS DAILY: for the greatest gift of Jesus Christ, His Birth, His Life of Love and Service, His Atoning Sacrifice, and the Gift of the Holy Ghost!!

_____________

Think about this:

Maybe you’re not a millionaire. Maybe you haven’t yet realized that big vision for your life. Maybe your relationships aren’t what you want them to be. Maybe you’re still waiting for that breakthrough that never seems to come. Maybe you struggle with your health, or maybe you’re caring for someone else who is.

But even so…

Have you seen God’s hand in your life, sustaining you from day to day?