Category: Blessing

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

Blood Pressure

It is not a hard thing for me to become stressed and feel anxious. I strive daily to maintain a relaxed composure and utilize techniques and skills to calm my nerves when I get uptight, nervous, scared, etc.

Recently, I had an annual doctor’s visit and recalling last year‘s stressful visit, due in part to meeting a new doctor in a new practice, I did not want a repeat, most specifically,  a less than desired blood pressure reading. This time around, conditions were different and I was not experiencing the same kind of stresses, however, my recollection hiked up my anxiety.

Prior to leaving for the appointment, I did things that would help calm my nerves from breathing—deep breathes in and deep breathes out, focusing on my happy place— the celestial room inside of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple, reading inspiring stories in a Latter-day Saints church magazine—the Ensign, listening to a song and a personal experience shared by an artist on “Hi Five Live -Facebook”, and I prayed for a miracle that all of the above would calm me and I would be able to stay focused on pleasant, happy things so my blood pressure would be good.

I have not had what I would consider a good blood pressure reading in I don’t know how long because I’m constantly experiencing and dealing with stress and anxiety. It was a tender mercy the calming techniques and my focus paid off and with Heavenly Father‘s help, my blood pressure was excellent!

When have you worked really hard to achieve a healthy state and you were successful?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Friendly Guidance

I received a phone call today about some changes to an assignment that I’ve had for a length of time and I was not capturing the new direction that was being shared with me. I was stuck in the mindset of what has been the process in the past and not grasping beyond what I was used to doing.

I am embarrassed to say that it took me several minutes to understand, and essentially it wasn’t until I got off the call that I realized what was being shared. I may have come off as being set in my prior ways when I truly was not comprehending.  Once it clicked for me, I reached out to them expressing my gratitude for their clarifying what I was not seemingly getting.  While I clearly was not getting it at first as they were so nicely guiding me, I am thankful they were patient and kind.

When have you experienced challenges such as the one above and were grateful for the patience and kindness shown to you?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Insurance and Rebates

Upon a couple of my children finishing an eye and contact exam, they learned that after the insurance covered a portion of their year supply of contacts, the remaining amount owed, out-of-pocket, was the same amount as a rebate offer. This was incredible news for them because they pay the difference after insurance for their year supply of contacts. Going into their annual eye appointment, they were concerned with what the amount remaining would be as they did not have the money and would need to wait to purchase the contacts until they did so.  Now they were able to afford them and get them sooner. What a blessing!

I think of those who do extreme couponing and how after purchasing food and nonfood, they spend practically zero or very minimal on their grocery bill.  I think that is so cool and amazing!

Have you experienced purchasing something and after insurance and coupons and/or rebates, you essentially spent nothing or very little? A happy day!

tendermercym♥ments~jld

A Tote Bag

As I entered a store to purchase a few things, not enough to want to get a cart, but more than what my hands could juggle, I was looking for a basket and in that moment, in the front of the store I saw a tote bag.  It was ideal and a perfect way to carry and hold the items that I came in to get. It was fascinating to me that in the moment I thought about a basket, I immediately saw the tote bag which was much easier for me to carry the products in than even a basket.

When have you had a thought of wanting something that would be helpful for you to accomplish a task you are setting out to do and in that moment, right in front of you, is an item that will work nicely…not what you had in mind, but even better? 😊

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Olive Oil and Garlic Oil

One evening, while tucking one of my children in bed, they casually and gently mentioned their ear was hurting. I had not noticed their disposition and behavior during the day being different than usual and no complaints were heard. I imagine their being absorbed in various activities preoccupied their attention that they didn’t notice the discomfort until settling into bed for the night.

As I looked at the ear, I supposed that maybe they had rested their hand on it supporting their head while sitting in a chair watching television or they had laid on it to take a brief nap resulting in it feeling tender and sore.  As I shared with them this possibility, I asked them to keep me posted on how their ear was feeling in the morning.

All the while we were dialoguing and even after learning of their achy ear, I was still able to maintain speaking with them with my same sweet mom voice so as not to worry them, although inside I was concerned if something more was going on and if I should frequently check on them throughout the night.  I left the room telling myself that I should not get myself worked up and all will be fine. I was confident I would be alerted somehow if I was to be more highly concerned. The next morning no updates were shared, and frankly I forgot. I was grateful as a natural “worry wart” that during the night my mind was not consumed with worry and I was able to sleep.

While tucking them in bed the next night, once again, a casual and gentle mention of the ear hurting was spoken, to which I asked more questions and with no visible sign of a fever or any apparent physical or other concerns, I felt that what may help was an olive/garlic oil solution (better if at room temperature), 1/4 tsp each mixed together, and poured slowly into the ear canal. They agreed. The next day, I followed up and they said the pain had decreased and was minimal to that of the night before. By evening of that night all the pain was gone.

I learned about this home remedy when my older kids were young.  I am so grateful I had this knowledge from so many years ago come to mind and that I had the ingredients on hand which provided comfort and relief during a time of need that helped soothe and heal a tender, sore ear.

When have you been able to apply your education and knowledge to bless and help someone in need, particularly a health remedy, that provided soothing comfort and relief as well as healing?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

 

First On The Waiting List

As I was trying to find a piece of paper with a password and username for an iPad that had not been used in awhile, I came across a reminder to contact an apartment for my son, serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, to be placed on their waiting list so when he returned and headed back to college, an apartment would hopefully be available and he would be able to move into the place he checked out before he left.

As I called the apartment to place him on the waiting list, I learned that he was first in line. Had I not been in search for a password and username for the iPad, I would not have seen the reminder that it was the timeframe to contact the apartment.  I was very grateful that I called them when I did.

When have you been searching for one thing and at the right time you came across an important reminder and was appreciative of the blessing that came from not missing an important date or deadline?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

A Rubber Band

While shopping, the bottom of my shoe separated from the top. I sought for a solution and considered a rubber band. I hesitated asking a store employee. When I decided to ask, they had one just the right size to double wrap and hold my shoe together. Awesome! I was grateful to continue shopping wearing my shoe intact.

Why did I hesitate to ask? I am one who is self-reliant and struggles asking others for help when I need it. I also did not want to receive something without paying for it first and at the same time I did not want to pay for a rubber band I had at home. I was essentially stunting myself. As I considered the logic behind my initial decision to not ask, I pushed my reasoning aside and asked an employee who happily found one and gave it to me at no charge.

Have you hesitated asking for help when you have needed it, holding yourself back for whatever reason, and then when you did ask, you were grateful for the blessing you received?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Disguising Oily Hair

Today my hair needed to be washed. It was clear and visible to me that it was oily, but I did not have time to wash it before my day started. I considered options to hide it and cover it up like wearing a hat, but I didn’t own a hat so that wasn’t going to work or pulling my hair back in a ponytail, but if I did that it would still show it was oily on top.  So I thought of a style that would interweave my hair in a way not covering up my white highlights, but that my oily hair would not be as obvious and it would look clean and beautiful.  I was happy with the results and grateful for a solution to disguise it until I could return home to wash it.

What have you done on those days when you have been unable to wash your hair and you were still able to walk out the door looking nice and feeling good?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Constructive Criticism

I have a friend that shared with me very directly an observation she had of one of my weaknesses to which I responded, “Thank you! That is so true. I need to work on that.” Knowing it is something that I desire to improve upon, hearing another individual and friend speak to it struck me in a way I hadn’t before realized. It was a realization that the weakness she pointed out, is known not only by me, but evident to others as well.

As I was receptive to her candidly sharing what she had noticed, more about what she saw in me was provided that was quite enlightening. In a way, I felt that this friend’s observation of me added to an accountability I had not only to myself, but to others to work towards improving my character flaw. Meaning, if it is noticed and brought up by others, I am more motivated to do better and work harder on improving that area of weakness. No more casual approach to working on it and brushing it aside for another time, another day, but beginning right now to actively make a conscientious effort to do better.

Do you have a weakness that you feel you’re the only one that knows about it and, therefore, you’ll take your time getting around to doing better? What have you done when you find out from a friend or others that they too are aware of your weakness? Are you grateful? Do you feel shame that others know? Are you embarrassed? I must say that when the dust settled and I was in quiet reflection, I was slightly discouraged, but then quickly picked myself up acknowledging that I did not need to get down on myself, but view it rather as an opportunity to grow.

This has happened in similar fashion several others times in my life that my weaknesses were addressed and pointed out by friends I knew loved and cared about me. Their input was a well-received tender mercy that changed me in a good way. I began managing and decreasing my out of control OCD of germs, improving at empathy and relating to others going through hard times, listening more and digesting what others say rather than quick to speak and share my knowledge. I was receptive and open to their feedback and had a desire to be better. I don’t have it down, but I am improving myself to becoming a better me.

tendermercym♥ments~jld

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