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God Knows Me. God Loves Me. | The Story of the Raspberries
Personal Testimonies

Father of Mercies: A Story of Raspberries

June 16, 2022

The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.”

Psalms 145:9

I’m one of His works. 

You’re one of His works. 

I believe with all my heart that we are His most precious works. 

I know that He sends tender mercies to us—those little blessings meant just for us—probably more often than we realize, but if we’re not looking for them, we will miss them. We will miss the blessings He’s sending only to us. For us.

I got in the habit of looking for tender mercies several years ago, and it has been absolutely life changing.

Looking for tender mercies has allowed me to better understand how much He loves me, how important I am to Him, and how much He wants me to understand His love through the tender mercies He sends. 

Only to me.

One of the keys I’ve found to remembering His tender mercies is to write them down. I learned the hard way that when they’re not written down, I forget them. Most likely forever. And I don’t ever want to forget what God has done for me. 

Often, these tender mercies come in the form of little things I would miss if I wasn’t looking for them.

Other times, they come when I really need a little tender mercy—a hug from heaven—that lets me know that He’s aware of me and what I’m going through. 

God sent me a little tender mercy a few years ago, and this tender mercy had to do with our oldest daughter’s wedding day and raspberries. An unlikely combination, right?!

The Story of the Raspberries (And How God is the Father of Mercies)

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A little background: I. Love. Raspberries. 

They are one of my most favorite things on the planet.

My Grandma Peterson used to have a raspberry patch in her backyard, so when we’d visit in the summertime, you would often find me IN the raspberry patch eating raspberries as fast as I could.

When I go to visit my mom and dad in Idaho, my mom always has raspberry jam for me to put on her homemade bread for breakfast. And while I love flowers, my husband has learned that the true way to my heart is to bring me a carton or 4 or more of fresh raspberries. He gets huge brownie points for that!

And I love the weeks during the summer when our local Kroger has raspberries 10 cartons for $10. I think “we” (mostly, me) can seriously go through 20 cartons in one week! 

Back in June of 2015, we were in Utah for our oldest daughter’s wedding.

We’d had a stressful and jam-packed few weeks of wedding preparations, and when combined with wanting her wedding day to be perfect and making sure everything happened like it should, it was one of those times in life that are both super stressful and super happy.

We’d stayed at a Hampton Inn & Suites for a few days before the wedding, and they had the best breakfasts! Each morning there was a platter of fresh cut fruit—pineapple, oranges, grapefruit, grapes, strawberries, and kiwi, and I definitely took advantage of that fruit every morning.

The morning of the wedding I was really struggling. I was over the moon happy for Kamala and Steven—they truly are a match made in heaven, but I was sad too.

I knew nothing would ever be the same after this day.

I so wanted everything to be perfect for her since she’d been dreaming of this day since she was a tiny little girl, and I was worried about a few details I hoped would fall into place.

And to be honest, I was on the verge of tears.

I knew one little thing would send me into meltdown mode, and I didn’t want that…because…red, puffy eyes for a million pictures that we’ll keep until the end of time would be so not good!

So I got ready and headed down to breakfast that morning, purposely alone, so I could have a bit of time to get my emotions under control for what was going to be a very happy but very exhausting day. 

When I went to get my fruit from the fruit platter, there was a huge pile of raspberries!!!!!

There hadn’t been any raspberries, or any evidence of raspberries, on any of the preceding mornings. I knew, at that moment, that those raspberries were a huge tender mercy meant just for me on this morning, and those little red berries were a sign from a loving God that He was aware of my struggles and was telling me that everything would be A-okay.

I instantly had a huge smile on my face and felt a million times better. I was able to control my emotions throughout the day (except for the joyous times, of course, because those times are always emotional for me!), do what needed to be done, and Kamala’s wedding day turned out just as she’d dreamed—perfect!

If I hadn’t gotten in the habit of looking for those daily tender mercies—both the small and the big ones, I know I’d have missed this very special one and others that happened that day.

I have come to know that there are no coincidences in life, only tender mercies sent from above just—and especially when—we need them the most.

Tender mercies sent personally and specifically to us from a God who knows each one of us, loves each one of us, and wants each one of us to feel that love. 

Every single day.

The Story of the Raspberries was originally shared here. 

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Susan Kelley

Susan Kelley is a wife, mom of 4, #boygrandma, chocolate lover, deep thinker, avid runner, and self-proclaimed book nerd with a very long travel bucket list. She’s a freelance writer and editor as well as a health + fitness professional with certifications from ACE (PT + Behavior Change Specialist) and Precision Nutrition. She feels she’s at her best when she’s filling her plate (and her heart) with the things that bring her happiness and helping others to do the same.

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The Comments

  • Sandy Brannan
    June 16, 2022

    Absolutely stunning!

    Reply
    • Susan
      Sandy Brannan
      June 18, 2022

      Thank you so much, Sandy!

      Reply
  • Alicia
    June 17, 2022

    Susan,
    I agree that God does those little things to show us just how special we are to Him and how much He loves us.

    Reply

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You better believe Jesus would welcome every single person at His table. But they’d walk away a changed person. They wouldn’t continue their life of sin. There’s a difference between passing judgement that’s not ours to pass and knowing the difference between right and wrong- recognizing sin. I can recognize sin and still invite you to my table. But you better believe the topic of conversation is going to be about how God forgives. How He loves. How He offers salvation. Because leading you to Jesus is the biggest act of love I can show you.
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In the mood for a little shopping? 🛍 We are so excited to feature this faith based (and a woman-owned business! 🙌🏻) @fringeandfree !! Nathalie is the sweetest, and she features so many amazing handmade home goods! 

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In the mood for a little shopping? 🛍 We are so excited to feature this faith based (and a woman-owned business! 🙌🏻) @fringeandfree !! Nathalie is the sweetest, and she features so many amazing handmade home goods! Check out all the reasons we love this brand on our latest blog post! 😘 #qotd 👉🏻 what is your favorite faith based business? Tag them in the comments! #christianbusiness #womenempowerment #faithbasedbusiness #faithbasedclothing #faithbasedhomedecor #faithbasedhomegoods #christianbusiness #christianbusinessowner #christianbusinesswomen #faithblogger
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All any mother wants is for her children to be healthy and happy. When something happens to disrupt that peace, WE feel to blame; misplaced guilt, but it's there all the same. 

"I want to have the kind of faith that carries me through life, knowing God is fully capable and in charge of every situation. I want to place my worries, anxieties, struggles, and trials at His feet and have peace."

So thankful for this beautiful story from @thisbreadwillrise , sharing her daughter's diagnosis, and how ultimately the journey has strengthened her faith. 💛

Read the full story (link) in bio.

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All any mother wants is for her children to be healthy and happy. When something happens to disrupt that peace, WE feel to blame; misplaced guilt, but it's there all the same. "I want to have the kind of faith that carries me through life, knowing God is fully capable and in charge of every situation. I want to place my worries, anxieties, struggles, and trials at His feet and have peace." So thankful for this beautiful story from @thisbreadwillrise , sharing her daughter's diagnosis, and how ultimately the journey has strengthened her faith. 💛 Read the full story (link) in bio. #faith #faithfulmom #momsintheword #christianmom #momblogger #momofgirls #fpies #fpiesmom #fpiesmoms #bibleverse #christianliving #christianlifestyle #momsthroughfaith
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  • God Knows Me. God Loves Me. | The Story of the Raspberries

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    June 16, 2022
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    Thank you so much, Sandy!

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    Susan, I agree that God does those little things to show us just how special we are to Him and…

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    Absolutely stunning!

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    I’m so grateful it was an encouragement! Sending much love and many blessings to you!

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You better believe Jesus would welcome every single person at His table. But they’d walk away a changed person. They wouldn’t continue their life of sin.

There’s a difference between passing judgement that’s not ours to pass and knowing the difference between right and wrong- recognizing sin. I can recognize sin and still invite you to my table. But you better believe the topic of conversation is going to be about how God forgives. How He loves. How He offers salvation. 

Because leading you to Jesus is the biggest act of love I can show you.
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You better believe Jesus would welcome every single person at His table. But they’d walk away a changed person. They wouldn’t continue their life of sin. There’s a difference between passing judgement that’s not ours to pass and knowing the difference between right and wrong- recognizing sin. I can recognize sin and still invite you to my table. But you better believe the topic of conversation is going to be about how God forgives. How He loves. How He offers salvation. Because leading you to Jesus is the biggest act of love I can show you.
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Keep this somewhere you can see it. 💛
@realbrittanydawn
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Keep this somewhere you can see it. 💛 @realbrittanydawn
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In the mood for a little shopping? 🛍 We are so excited to feature this faith based (and a woman-owned business! 🙌🏻) @fringeandfree !! Nathalie is the sweetest, and she features so many amazing handmade home goods! 

Check out all the reasons we love this brand on our latest blog post! 😘

#qotd 👉🏻 what is your favorite faith based business? Tag them in the comments! 

#christianbusiness #womenempowerment #faithbasedbusiness #faithbasedclothing #faithbasedhomedecor #faithbasedhomegoods #christianbusiness #christianbusinessowner #christianbusinesswomen #faithblogger
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In the mood for a little shopping? 🛍 We are so excited to feature this faith based (and a woman-owned business! 🙌🏻) @fringeandfree !! Nathalie is the sweetest, and she features so many amazing handmade home goods! Check out all the reasons we love this brand on our latest blog post! 😘 #qotd 👉🏻 what is your favorite faith based business? Tag them in the comments! #christianbusiness #womenempowerment #faithbasedbusiness #faithbasedclothing #faithbasedhomedecor #faithbasedhomegoods #christianbusiness #christianbusinessowner #christianbusinesswomen #faithblogger
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All any mother wants is for her children to be healthy and happy. When something happens to disrupt that peace, WE feel to blame; misplaced guilt, but it's there all the same. 

"I want to have the kind of faith that carries me through life, knowing God is fully capable and in charge of every situation. I want to place my worries, anxieties, struggles, and trials at His feet and have peace."

So thankful for this beautiful story from @thisbreadwillrise , sharing her daughter's diagnosis, and how ultimately the journey has strengthened her faith. 💛

Read the full story (link) in bio.

#faith #faithfulmom #momsintheword #christianmom #momblogger #momofgirls #fpies #fpiesmom #fpiesmoms #bibleverse #christianliving #christianlifestyle #momsthroughfaith
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All any mother wants is for her children to be healthy and happy. When something happens to disrupt that peace, WE feel to blame; misplaced guilt, but it's there all the same. "I want to have the kind of faith that carries me through life, knowing God is fully capable and in charge of every situation. I want to place my worries, anxieties, struggles, and trials at His feet and have peace." So thankful for this beautiful story from @thisbreadwillrise , sharing her daughter's diagnosis, and how ultimately the journey has strengthened her faith. 💛 Read the full story (link) in bio. #faith #faithfulmom #momsintheword #christianmom #momblogger #momofgirls #fpies #fpiesmom #fpiesmoms #bibleverse #christianliving #christianlifestyle #momsthroughfaith
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Just a friendly reminder that with God on your side, anything is possible. 💛 Journals from @abookwellloved . . . #christian #christianbasics #christiancoachingforwomen #christiangirl #christianwritersofig #christiangirlinstagram #christianwomen #momsofinstagram #faithtalk #faithstrong #faithjournaling #faithwriter #faithwalking #faithinchrist
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