Visual Instructions

When I pulled up alongside my daughter’s car as she was preparing to fill it up with gas, each time I tried using my credit card, it was declined. I could not figure out the reason why. After several attempts, we decided to try another pump. As she drove to a different one, I went back to my car and noticed a picture indicating how to insert the card. I had been doing it wrong, sliding my card in backwards. From the image, I was able to put my card in correctly and grateful that the picture helped me figure it out so that my daughter was able to get gas in her car.

When have you tried over and over again to figure out how to do something with no success and you were grateful for a picture or diagram showing you what to do?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Several Close Calls

“Stopped The Car Before Impact”

As I pulled into my driveway and began gathering things to take into the house, I did not realize I had not put the gearshift in park. It was a tender mercy I looked up just in time to see the car rolling forward toward our garage door. I was able to brake quickly to avoid any impact and was happy my response was immediate.

When have you experienced a moment when you realized your car was rolling forward as you were prepared to get out and you stopped the car inches from structural impact?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

“Narrowly Missed The Other Vehicle”

On this day, for some reason as I was backing out of my garage, I did not bother to look around or use my mirrors. I drove straight back while conversing with my children. Once out of the garage, it was a tender mercy I looked over my shoulder before leaving the driveway and realized I was within inches of almost hitting our other vehicle.

It was so unusual for me to not look around first. I suppose I felt so accustomed to maintaining a straight line when I back out of the garage, I didn’t pay any attention to the other car that was there. As I think about it, the difference on this particular day was that my husband was working from home. Typically, the driveway is empty. That experience was so alarming to me that I am sure I’m going to pay better attention to looking around when backing out of the garage. It usually only takes one scare for me to learn what I don’t want to happen again.

When have you been casual in your driving and a close call helped you become more alert?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

“The Horn Works”

When we first purchased our car, weeks and months went by before I had reason to use my horn. I had wondered if the horn worked, but never tried it. I don’t randomly press my horn without cause and so I wasn’t sure if it worked or how quickly I would respond in the event that I needed to use the horn.

Well, today was the day and it was a tender mercy the horn worked. The sun was bright and I barely caught a glance of a car backing out as I had just turned the corner to go down an aisle in a parking lot. The visibility was minimal and the fact that I saw the driver backing out was an incredible tender mercy considering the glare. I responded immediately by pressing my hand on the horn. She stopped and I was able to get around her, narrowly missing getting hit. It was a crazy experience and I am grateful it ended well.

When have you wondered if something in your car would function properly in an emergency and were unsure how quickly you would respond; and you were grateful when faced with danger, your car and you responded well?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

“Looked Up Just in Time”

While at a school dropping off some paperwork, I briefly stopped to chat with a friend that arrived when I did. When our dialogue ended and I was walking towards the school, I looked down reflecting on our conversation while also reviewing the form in my hand and it was a tender mercy I looked up just before taking another step that would have led me face on, right into a metal gate bar. I was not paying attention to what was in front of me. I am grateful I looked up when I did.

When have you been one step from running into something and grateful you looked up just in time?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Stand By Your Feeling

I was facing a conflict, a dilemma to what I was going to do and what decision I was going to make at an annual well exam visit for one of my children. I was sure they had swimmer’s ear, and I knew there was a possibility that immunizations were given at their age. I was not only concerned about my child’s ear discomfort, but also if getting shots now was a good thing or not. I questioned if other problems or side effects would arise and complicate things if I didn’t keep the two separate and deal with one thing at a time. There was some leverage between now and a year from now to receive the state required school vaccinations.

I did not know what I should do, so I did the only thing that I knew to do and that was to pray. As I prayed about the decision to wait, I felt a peace to not have the vaccinations done that day. I had received the answer prior to going to the appointment and was prepared if I felt pressure to have my child get them while in the office. Although it was shared that my child was of age to have them and they were available, surprisingly, the pressure I felt didn’t come from the staff or the doctor, but rather from within myself wanting to ensure I was doing the right thing for my child.

When my child learned about the vaccinations, they were concerned it would hurt. I offered them the option of doing it that day, waiting a few months, or next year and allowing them to weigh in on the decision and choose what they wanted to do. They, too, felt good about waiting. The staff respected our decision.

I am grateful for the peace and comfort I felt proceeding the visit in knowing what I needed to do and I was prepared if I was potentially “put on the spot”. A few times, I did consider and contemplate for a second if what I felt earlier had changed. It had not. I was reminded of the peace I felt to wait. I stood by the original feeling and the answer I had received after prayer and was able to remain unwavering in the conclusion to hold off for the time being.

When have you received an answer to a prayer and you were able to remain unwavering in your decision when you felt pressure or when you were “put on the spot”?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Do I Have Friends?

Do you ever ask yourself, “who are my friends, do I have friends, am I a good friend”? I have from time to time. Why? For me, the reason is I doubt my ability to communicate well.

Have you ever spoken words that did not come out the way you meant or intended and you “put your foot in your mouth”, wished you could take back slips and silly things that came out wrong, said things that inadvertently hurt or offended a friend, shared something not realizing or knowing a friend’s situation and you were extremely apologetic when learning about what was happening in their world, or you shared information with someone and another person passes by stunned at what portion they heard and you are thoroughly embarrassed by what they captured that was not actually what you were saying?

I’m guilty. In each of those situations I have felt awful and I have become frustrated with myself. My heart was in the right place, but my sharing what is in my heart that is gentle and kind doesn’t always articulate well from my mouth leaving me to question if my friends will see me beyond my imperfections, flaws, quirks, and awkwardness.

I am cheesy at times, over the top excited when I share what I am passionate about and when expressing gratitude. I stumble over my words, and my sentences are choppy when I forget names and specific information I try and want to share (brain freeze). I speak with conviction as I share my values. Through it all, I love and care about people. Does that transfer through always? I don’t know. I hope it does. But, that concern leaves me at times wondering if I just messed up so much that I’ve lost a friend.

At church one Sunday, I was grateful for a day filled with opportunity to speak with one friend after another. Warm, happy greetings were exchanged and words expressing how much our friendship means to each other was shared. I recognized my value as a friend and it was reaffirmed I have friends, lots of friends. I saw that I am a friend and I am important to them as well as they are important to me. I was inundated and showered back to back with affirmations of the friends I do have and it wasn’t even my birthday. For on those days when I question if I have friends or if I am a good friend, I am grateful for days like this one reminding me that I am a good friend and I have lots of friends.

As I reflected on this experience later, I was reminded of a song that I love and it has meant a lot to me over the years,

1. Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.

2. What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

3. When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

4. For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior’s name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

Text: Karen Lynn Davidson, b. 1943. © 1985 IRI

Music: A. Laurence Lyon, b. 1934. © 1985 IRI

When have you wondered if you have friends or if you are a good friend and you received the warm reassurance that you have lots of friends and you are, indeed, a good friend?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Free Children’s Songbook

I do not frequent Facebook constantly. Several days, here and there, can go by before I get on and look through specific pages I like and follow. Early one evening as I began browsing through recent posts, I saw a free children’s songbook. The illustration on the front cover caught my eye and I was interested, however, initially I scrolled passed it. Minutes later, I came back to it again. I really wanted it and I was certain if I didn’t speak up right away, it would be gone. I responded immediately that I’d love it. Shortly after, I saw a confirmation message that it was available for me to pick up. I was thrilled! There are times I am timid and hesitate to ask for something I really want, but today I did not give myself the chance to pass it up and I am so grateful I did not. I was happy I happened to be on Facebook at the right time to see it less than 1 hour after it was posted.

I love the artwork and I enjoy hearing my children play the piano. Every once in a long while, I’ll sit down myself and attempt to play simple songs. I was grateful to be a recipient of something I value very much—beautiful art and peaceful music, a blessing and a treasure.

When have you jumped at an opportunity you came across to receive a free gift you really wanted and you were happy you got it?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Black Trash Bags

As we were returning home from a beach trip, it was not long after the sun set and with two hours still to go, we saw a lightening show in the horizon fill the dark sky. It continued the duration of our drive back home. It was only a matter of time we would be in the path. With threatening rain at any moment, we exited the interstate as quickly as we could to find a lit location where we could stop to cover our belongings in the back of the open truck bed with black trash bags, brought in the event we encountered showers.

With the scent of rain in the air and a gentle gust of wind, we all worked fast to cover our bags and then we continued moving onward towards home. Each minute we remained “in the clear”, I was grateful. I also felt a surge of excitement that if we drove through a downpour, our possessions would stay dry. It was more or less a feeling of comfort that we came prepared. The phrase, “If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear” came to my mind during the experience. Not only did we have sufficient black bags to protect our exposed luggage and belongings from getting wet, which did occur 15 minutes before getting home, we were able to stop with adequate time to cover what we wanted to keep dry.

What are the blessings you have received when you have been prepared?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Beach Access

Going to the beach as a family has been a tradition most summers the past few years. We have gone to different beaches and stayed in a variety of accommodations. This year our stay was in a condo. I liked the property very much, in part because of the easy access to the beach. It was only a matter of opening a gate at the back of the premises and we were stepping right onto the sand with the salty water and waves not far in front of us. Other places we have stayed, there has been a long walkway to and from the beach. It was rough carrying our pop up tents, chairs, food, and toys the distance in the heat and with the wind blowing.

Here, each day being able to park right next to the beach, close to where we set up, made transporting the above items a breeze relative to past years. It was convenient when needing to go back to our unit to use the bathroom. And, when one of my contacts felt uncomfortable due to the combination of sunscreen on my face, the sand, and gusts of wind, the easy access to return to the condo to clean it was so nice.

When have you been on vacation and appreciated easy access to those things you frequent, whether it’s your room, a restaurant, a park, the beach, etc.?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Cramped Foot

As I was heading out to a scheduled chiropractic appointment for my shoulder and my calf, the top of my foot began to cramp, the third time in 2 days.

I had scheduled the appointment a week prior preceding any issue with my foot and the cramping happening on the way to the appointment was a blessing because I was able to address it along with the nerves in my shoulder and muscles in my calf that needed treating.

When have you had a scheduled doctor’s visit and an additional concern came up before you arrived and you were grateful that you were able to bring it up while seeing the doctor versus it happening after leaving the office?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Haircut

Only about twice a year do I get my hair cut after a dry winter and humid summer when my hair has become stringy and full of split ends. I don’t do much when I get it cut. Typically, it is cleaning up the split ends, styling the bottom with a point cut to flip the hair out or under, and framing around my face. I like style, but due to my silky hair that holds almost nothing and my skin sensitivities, my haircuts are simple.

I had plans to get my hair cut on a Saturday after I had received a coupon in the mail, however, when Saturday came, it wasn’t until my husband mentioned my interest in doing it that day that I remembered. I was grateful for the reminder. Not only that, I was also grateful to check in on an app before arriving giving myself more time to get things done at home then sitting waiting for my turn.

As the hairdresser was cutting my hair, she took her time and was very detailed. I did not mind at all. I was appreciative of the extra care she was giving to my hair. As I observed another hairdresser moving quickly through her patrons and one patron seeming surprised with how fast she finished, my hairdresser spoke to her to slow down. I enjoyed the time my hairdresser took with my hair and was also grateful for the insights she shared on how I could have less shine where I don’t want it and more shine and conditioning where it will provide lift to my straight silky hair.

When have you appreciated having any of the following—a coupon when getting your hair cut, a reminder from a family member when you had a plan to treat yourself, a short wait time, a hairdresser who spent quality time on your hair, and/or a helpful tip shared with you?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Baked Squash

A short time before my daughter’s friends were coming over to bake cookies, I had removed a baking stone from the kitchen counter and placed it in the oven only to discover that baked squash I had made for dinner a few nights ago was still there. I had completely forgotten about it. I didn’t even have an inkling or a thought at all reminding me that there was anything left behind that needed to be either eaten or refrigerated for later.

I was able to take care of it, unfortunately, dumping it in the trash. It was a bummer as I would have liked to have eaten it at another time, however, I’m grateful I found it before the girls did. Had they opened the oven to see it there first, it just may have altered their appetite. It didn’t look that bad, nonetheless, the thought of food being left behind and forgotten for days is gross.

When have you been grateful when you found something unappealing while cleaning, saw it first and took care of it before your guests arrived?

tendermercym♥ments~jld