While quickly going into a store to pick up a handful of needed items, I noticed a bulletin showcasing that Santa would be visiting there the very next afternoon. I was sure my youngest, who loves Christmas, would be excited about attending this holiday event. I decided to wait until the day of to mention it to them and surprise them with what I thought would be a fun experience, however, the event didn’t pan out as scheduled.
Prior to becoming aware that it wouldn’t actually take place after all, when I asked my youngest if they wanted to go, they did not express any enthusiasm and were indecisive and dragging their feet. I was surprised and shocked. I thought for certain they would have wanted to go especially being that the store was just down the street, only a couple miles from our home. The close proximity and short drive away, at least for me, was exciting.
Upon asking them multiple times within the 4-hour block Santa was to be at the venue whether they were interested in going, I received the same hedging response each time. As the hours passed and I continued to prod, it was then shared with me that they only wanted to go if the whole family went, unfortunately, our family was dispersed with overlapping activities during that entire timeframe. In addition, it was expressed to me that they preferred we all go see Santa and enjoy activities together where we have traditionally gone for a number of years.
Though I was surprised they hedged about seeing Santa at this new place, I valued their reason and their response caused me to reflect on my desires this year to enjoy the season in a lighter, more simple way, so rather than starting or adding another tradition, it was a tender mercy my youngest was not all that inclined to go.
Also, while shopping the day prior, I was feeling under the weather and I did not remember to get one other needed item. As I returned back to the store after the event was over to purchase that item, out of curiosity, I asked an employee standing near the bulletin how the event went and I was told that for some reason Santa didn’t show up and the event didn’t pan out after all. In the end, it was again a tender mercy that my child’s hedging and dragging their feet actually saved us time and energy from getting ready to go and then standing around for a length of time anticipating Santa’s arrival that never came to be.
When have your desires to take your family to a fun event not transpired for various reasons and in the end it turned out to be for the best as later you learned the event didn’t pan out as scheduled and take place after all?
tendermercym❤️ments~jld
“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”
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