Category: Timing

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

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

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

Willing To Give

One particular Sunday while at church, I was amazed at the number of different occasions I observed and witnessed others giving what they had, to help another in their time of need. I, too, was willing and wanting to help. With so many ready to jump in, it felt like a race. Having resources available right away and being in close proximity to the one in need was key.

As one woman in the library expressed a need for a band-aid, immediately a young mother standing close by hearing her request pulled out of her bag a brand new, not yet opened, first aid kit. I too, was close by to assist, however, the band-aids I had were in my car not as readily accessible.

During Sunday School class, a student was invited to share a personal experience. When his emotions surfaced, he sought for a Kleenex. Although I had Kleenex in my purse, I waited as I watched several others who were closer to him look for what they had and I saw a gentleman not far from the student place a travel size package next to him.

The opportunity for me to help came later when I overheard mention of a friend who was hungry and no one near her had any food with them. Initially, I shared that I had gum and Tic Tacs and then I remembered I had a snack in my bag. It happened to be the perfect snack for my friend who was not only hungry, but also had food allergies. I was grateful I had something to offer.

In addition, when leaving the last class with a couple of friends, they expressed concern and wondered why a situation in a story that had been shared in the lesson couldn’t have had a better outcome. I was able to provide information to a possible reason and explanation. They expressed appreciation for the insight.

Time and again as a need presented itself, many, including myself, were ready, happy and willing to assist where we could. It was neat to see how quickly so many went into action to help another and it felt good when I was able to give something I had, to help someone else.

When have you been touched by the service you’ve witnessed others render to one another and when have you been grateful for an opportunity you’ve had to help another in their time of need?

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

It’s Not Too Late

While I was out and about running errands, I saw that my phone had a very low battery. I would notice it in the store and then I would forget about it when I got out to the car. Time and again, I’d remember just minutes before arriving to the next location. Initially, my thought was,“what’s the point if I only have two minutes or at the longest 10 minutes to charge my phone.” Then I thought, “even if I can only get 1%, 2%, or 5% in a short period of time then it’s not too late—something is better than nothing at all.” The smallest increase was valuable to me to not lose connection with my husband and children while I was out and about.

When have you questioned if a supposedly insignificant action was worth it, and your effort resulted in a better outcome than not trying at all?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Package Arrived Early

As we were less than 2 weeks from leaving for our family trip, one of our children ordered some items on line.  The expected arrival was within 3 days before our departure. I prayed we would get them before we left and they came 4 days earlier than the provided range dates.  It was a relief and a comfort to have less to worry about prior to heading out on vacation.

Have you received a package earlier than expected when the timing was important to you?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Task Completed

I was not looking forward to spraying the interior of my house, however, the spiders and bugs are entering in as Spring is here and Summer is quickly approaching.  I am most concerned that I may step on a scorpion and with a family trip coming up, I do not want to return home to an unpleasant surprise as we did many years ago watching a live scorpion scurry across our kitchen floor. I made it a point to take care of the spraying today.  It took a couple of hours to prep (sweep and pick up dead bugs and trash along the floorboard) and spray the interior rooms.

It was a task needing to be done.  I was grateful to be able to do it while my kids were in school and the house was empty allowing the spray to dry undisturbed.  Although is is a task I do not enjoy, it was worth the effort to have peace of mind that I can walk around in my house and worry less about stepping on a scorpion or a spider or crush a bug.

When have you felt gratitude for a task completed, not one that you particularly wanted to do, but in doing so felt a peace of mind?

tendermercym♥ments~jld