Month: January 2020

Don’t Worry About It!

Don’t Worry About It! Although something may appear concerning, the likelihood of something terrible happening may be slim to none.

Don’t Worry About It!

I decided today is the day, the day to finally celebrate my birthday. As I gathered my family to head out for the evening, a couple of concerns wrenched my mind, true to my natural worrywart tendencies, however, a diagram I came across in the morning of a big circle representing “things I worry about” and a small circle inside the big circle referring to “things that can happen“ and an even smaller circle inside of that circle, the size of a dot, indicating ”things that ‘DO’ happen” quickly halted my thoughts and I instead told myself, “Don’t Worry About It!”

As I went to a neighbor’s home to let one of my children, who was outside playing basketball with their friend, know they had five minutes left to play, I noticed on the hood of the neighbor’s car that was backed into their open garage just off to the side of the basketball stand, an iPad screening something in the background. Although it did appear that the kids were aware and mindful of it as they were playing, I was immediately concerned that a missed layup, free throw or any shot would, per karma, knock it over. 

I contemplated, would it really happen? What was the likelihood or probability that the iPad on the car would be bumped off by the basketball. It was a tender mercy in that moment that as the image of the diagram flashed in my mind as well as I also felt impressed to not overparent, rather than feed my anxiety and worries, I managed a deep breath, sigh, and walked away not giving my concern a second thought. Fortunately, the possible scenario did not play out! 

And then, in considering between three options of top picks on where to go eat for my birthday dinner—a restaurant with unlimited fries, an establishment with unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks, or a steakhouse with unlimited, just out of the oven, warm rolls with a side of honey butter spread, my #1 choice was the honey butter rolls, but the location was the furthest away and it would mean driving in what is most often heavily congested traffic, which I dread as those conditions increase my anxiety as a passenger. 

Again, it was a tender mercy the image of the diagram entered my mind. I took a risk without knowing the condition of the highway and made a reservation to the place with the warm rolls, and as the driver, off we went. It was a tender mercy that despite the risk, I went for it without giving into my fear or concern and pleasingly, the traffic was light.

When has a quote, image, phrase, diagram or the like changed a concerned thought you had about something to being able to tell yourself, “don’t worry about it” and truly not worry about it?

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.

You Are Doing Something Right

The joy you feel as you come to know that you are doing something right as a mom.

“Yes, Yes, you are doing something right!” As a mom, parenting can be a real struggle. I absolutely love being a mom, however, often I question if I am parenting the right way. Today, I received an affirmation of one thing in particular to which I was immediately overjoyed, so much so, I clenched my right hand as I raised it above my head and quickly brought it back down by my side in a victorious manner all the while resoundingly expressing to myself in second person, “Yes, Yes, you are doing something right!” 

On my way to picking up one of my children from early morning church seminary, I was listening to an episode of Real Talk. One specific quote, “The gospel of Jesus Christ should be caught not taught” mentioned non verbatim by one of the hosts referencing something spoken of by Elder David A. Bednar captured my attention. I looked up Elder Bednar’s broadcast talk and the words resonated with what I’ve done with my kids ever since they were little. 

When they would ask me for answers to questions—general life questions, homework questions, where they could find such and such, etc. I would often reply with “What do you think?“ Although they would get frustrated with this response, I did not want to just give them the answer outright. I wanted them to process through and consider the answer for themselves first. Most often, as I guided them, they would come to the correct answer all on their own. I absolutely love the phrase/proverb, “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” 

Hearing first the quote and then reading the talk by Elder Bednar was a tender mercy as it provided me a thrill of affirmation that “Yes, Yes, you are doing something right!”

When have you questioned if you were parenting the right way or not and you received a form of affirmation that indeed, “Yes, Yes, you are doing something right!”?

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.

Special Occasion Celebration Was Postponed

A special occasion for celebration was postponed when not feeling well on the actual day.

Though my birthday coincided with a national holiday this year and it was not only exciting that my kids would have the day off of school, but also that I was looking forward to it being an extended weekend of birthday fun and relaxation, sadly, due to my not feeling well, my birthday celebration was postponed. 

Traditionally, as a family, when it’s a member’s birthday, we all go out to eat at their favorite restaurant. I planned to go out, but my state of being was not aligned with the day’s agenda. The number of times I tried to get out earlier in the day, I couldn’t do it. It was futile. Each attempt was fruitless. My body just wasn’t having it. Finally, I conceded to not going out at all. 

I loved that it was a sunny day, and though from inside my house it appeared to be warm outside, it was actually a bit chilly which for what my body was experiencing, mostly heavy head pressure, I didn’t want to leave the warmth and comfortableness of my home. 

I imagined and envisioned that holding my head upright while sitting in a booth on a chilly night with the cold going right through me would be quite unpleasant and miserable. So, rather than push myself to do what I originally desired as it would be too much of a strain, I made the decision to stay home. It was what it was and I accepted it, though an absolute bummer that on the one day a year to celebrate me, I was not up to it. 

However, as soon as I relinquished my plans of going out, a weight I didn’t know I was feeling was lifted. I lowered my expectations of what I hoped would happen throughout the day, so much so that by the end of the day I didn’t realize how much I had accepted my circumstances and dissociated from not celebrating my birthday until I was asked by one of my children if I would be blowing out any candles. Though I was surprised that this tradition had completely slipped my mind, the mention of it caused my head pressure to magnify and was a definitive no-go. 

The day was not a complete disappointment though as I had wanted to finish a book I had started weeks back and being able to rest and read the book on this day was wonderful! Not only that, it was a tender mercy when the thought entered my mind that although this day was my actual birthday, I could still celebrate on any other day and it would be just as special. Upon this acknowledgement, my low countenance quickly boosted to happy anticipation of being able to celebrate when I felt better. 

When have you felt unwell at a time of celebration on your behalf and the special occasion celebration was postponed until you felt better?

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.

Help From Someone In An Earlier Time Zone

When my car shut down completely while out one evening, help from someone in an earlier time zone was the “key” to getting my car up and running again sooner rather than later.

With no warning, when I was ready to leave our church building just over an hour after arriving, all electronic functions in my car shut down completely and it would not start. Prior to that point, my car had never had any issues starting up. It was a tender mercy that help from someone in an earlier time zone was the “key” to my getting it up and running again. 

On this evening, after dropping off one of my children at the church for a youth activity, I remained there in my car with it turned off and spoke to a loved one on the phone until the activity was over. 

Upon my child’s return to the car following the activity, when I turned on the ignition to leave, my car would not start. Instead, diagnostic messages and other warning indicators flashed and lit up the dashboard.

My first response was to remove the owner’s manual from the glovebox and troubleshoot the problem based on the diagnostic message. However, the steps I followed, did nothing. And, with each attempt to start up the car, in a matter of minutes, the dashboard went blank, the remote doors ceased to work, lights would not turn on, everything was out. 

At this point, I prayed to know what to do. Immediately, the thought to call the dealership that services our vehicle came to mind, yet due to the particular hour, their service department was closed for the evening along with all other local dealerships specific to our vehicle and they would not reopen until the next morning. 

It was then that a remarkable and brilliant impression to call a like dealership for help from someone in an earlier time zone entered my mind. I was excited and hopeful they would to be able to provide me with a way to get my car up and running again without needing to leave it overnight in the church parking lot, calling for roadside assistance, or having it towed. 

Upon my calling the out-of-state dealership right away, I was told by a sales associate that the service department had closed just two minutes prior, fortunately, upon my request to speak to someone in service before all employees were gone, it was a tender mercy my call was picked up and the one who took my call answered all of my questions which led to 1) learning that a manual key, I never knew existed, was attached to my remote car opener as I expressed concern of not having the ability to get into my car if all of my doors were locked due to the electrical outage and 2) narrowing down that the problem was most likely a dead battery. 

Throughout the approximate two hours we were still at the church beyond the time the activity had ended, it was a tender mercy that on this very night the church building was still open for those playing adult basketball which was a wonderful blessing as it was a safe place for my child and I to hang tight temporarily, go the restroom as needed, and be able to charge my phone that had a low battery. Not only that, during that timeframe, it was a tender mercy the ease and calm I felt throughout the entire experience and that we were not in a rush or hurry to be elsewhere. 

It was also a tender mercy that someone exiting the building had jumper cables with them and when they jump started the car, it slowly started back up and began functioning once again. In addition, while troubleshooting under the hood in the dark and when the car was being jump started, it was a tender mercy the winter night’s weather was beautiful. And, as a bonus, through observation, I relearned how to use jumper cables.

And the tender mercies continued. When the battery was tested the next day at a dealership near us, it was determined that what happened to our car was a fluke and the battery was still a good battery that did not yet need to be replaced. 

Which on top of that, it was a tender mercy I came to learn that a replacement battery for my vehicle is a specific and quite pricey type that can only be purchased through the dealership. This heads up information has prepared me for what will be a necessary, huge, out-of-pocket expense at some point down the road, hopefully further out than sooner.   

When has an impression led you to reach out for help from someone in an earlier time zone who was able to troubleshoot a specific immediate need you had when a local business was closed?

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.

I Did Not Short Change Myself

I Did Not Short Change Myself When I Had An Option To Select My Favorite Yogurt Flavor Over Another Flavor.

So often I short change myself and place myself “on the back burner” to allow others wants and desires to take precedence over my own.  

It is a thought process and action that stems from my poor, yet modest upbringing as one of the eldest children in a large family. In recognizing the needs of my younger siblings and aware that funds were limited, I took a step back and was content to set aside what I wanted so they could have what it was they needed/wanted. 

It is almost a given behavior, as if it is naturally inherent, except today I consciously took note of it and allowed myself the blessing of partaking of something I really wanted.

Upon my return home from dropping off my kids at school, I took the essential time to eat a delayed breakfast which I often and easily pass up as I jump right into focusing my attention on other priorities, eating not usually being one of them. 

As I opened the fridge and reached in for a small yogurt cup, it was a tender mercy I gave myself permission to select the black cherry. Of the strawberry, peach, and black cherry yogurt in a particular 6 count pack, black cherry is my favorite. Usually, as I do time and time again, I opt for the strawberry or peach because I know others in our family really like black cherry too and not everyone so much prefers the other two flavors, whereas, I do like them as well and I don’t want them to expire and go to waste.

I felt such exhilaration as I allowed myself to choose the black cherry. I thoroughly enjoyed every bite. It was a tender mercy I did not short change myself nor talk myself out of or reason away from my having the yogurt flavor I really wanted.   

When have you allowed yourself permission to partake of something good you really wanted and you did not short change yourself or put yourself “on the back burner”?  

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.

One For Me And One For You

With most all shopping carts being used by other patrons, it was a tender mercy that when you and another shopper not far behind you entered the store, there were still two available carts, “One For Me And One For You!”

“Yay, one for me and one for you!” was my quiet expression of gratitude when walking into a store full of shoppers and seeing that the only cart left by the entrance/exit was available for me as well as spotting an unattended cart nearby for another shopper that came in not far behind me whom was also desirous of having a cart. 

Post Christmas and New Years as the holiday break was coming to a close, I went to a particular store to return a couple of Christmas presents that did not work as intended and to purchase a few end-of-season clearance and regular priced gift items. Once inside, I noticed a long checkout line and the number of available carts had dwindled down to one. It was a tender mercy that when I arrived, there was at least one remaining shopping cart by the entrance/exit. 

As I settled my personal belongings and returns into the cart and was preparing to step away, I observed another shopper that had come in soon after I did looking for a cart. Though I could have kept the last cart for myself as per the phrase “first come, first serve”, I was willing to give it up to them, however, I too needed a cart. 

With a very sore shoulder from overextending one of my arms a few days earlier, carrying anything caused uncomfortable pain so going into the packed store and being able to snatch up the last available cart near the entrance/exit was a welcomed tender mercy for me. 

Yet, I didn’t want the much older shopper than I to be without a cart so I scanned the area from where I was standing and it was a tender mercy I saw an isolated cart close by in a section between racks of clothing and shelves of merchandise. I turned to the other shopper with an expression of elation, optimistic that we would each have a cart, “one for me and one for you.” 

However, not knowing if the cart with an article of clothing on the seat was being used by someone who may have gone into a nearby toilet room, as I approached the restroom to see if it was vacant or not, an individual stepped out and did not claim the cart when asked and no one else was nearby so it was assumed it had just been randomly left behind. It was a tender mercy we each now had a cart. 

When have you gone into a store and there was a limited quantity of something you and another shopper desired and you were grateful that with what remained there was “one for me and one for you”, meaning one for each of you? 

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.

Same First Name “Problems”

The realization that you shared the same first name as someone else in a small group with you that was picking up something and you were about to receive what was theirs and they were about receive what was yours.

Though I have a very common first name, it never occurred to me nor did I realize while in a small group enjoying a fun adventure with our family over the holiday break that of the four females in our group of ten participants, two of us had the same first name. 

I assumed when we signed up for the adventure, our family would be in a group of our own, however, upon our arrival at the designated time, we were combined with another family whom we had never met. Though we cheered and supported each other as one by one we took turns flying with an instructor, we never introduced ourselves or interacted as we sat on separate benches facing the wind tunnel where all the action was taking place. 

Following the completion of the adventure, certificates were handed out. As I heard my first name called, it was a tender mercy I saw the certificate, inadvertently so I thought, being given to one of the other participants in our group. When I approached the participant and asked about the certificate they had just received, assuming it to be mine, I learned they shared the same first name as me.

And then, when picking up the video of my flight, it was a tender mercy I was able to view it on a screen first before accepting it as I noticed that the woman in the video was not me but rather the other person in our group with the same first name.

In paying attention both times, it was a tender mercy that before leaving I had the certificate and video that was mine in hand.

When have you been in a small group with others you did not know, picking up something in your name, and you came to realize through paying attention that one other person in the group shared your same first name and you were about to receive what was theirs and/or they were about to receive what was yours?

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.