There were a lot of online shopping deals this week, and I wasted more time than I should've online,... which led to a lot of negative self-talk. Tried to save some part of the day by cleaning out the garage after lunch, but that ended with my phone screen going permanently black!--just as I was needing to get showered and pick up all the girls to get to violin in time. Seth was tired and crying, I was trying to collect addresses of phone repair shops & places to buy new phones(!) near violin before I left (since I wouldn't be able to use my phone), and I still needed to change out of my dirty garage clothes! That negative talk just stacked up as I rolled up to each school later than planned, knowing we'd be more than 15 minutes late to violin. As we pulled up to their teacher's house, Jane needed to run in to use her bathroom, and I wanted to hide under the dashboard as they went in, rather than see what I was sure would have been a disappointed/frustrated look at our irresponsible tardiness (especially since this is far from the first time!).
BUT, the minute she opened the door,
this teacher just greeted the girls with love and a welcoming smile!!!
And that simple MERCIFUL moment when she rightly could've been frustrated or disgusted with me (like I was with myself) changed everything for me! My phone just needed a new screen, my time mismanagement went back into a normal-sized weakness, and I could see hope again.
Similarly, a few days later in a long, stressful return line at the store where my receipt wasn't working, and Seth was Shrieking and the girls were fighting over the stroller and ignoring me, and I was just plain tired, a lady/angel in line next to me asked if Seth was one like her grandson? Then, at every squeal and sound he made, she looked adoringly (!?) and would say, "Just like my grandson!--such a fun and busy age!" It didn't change my returns problems or keep the kids from trouble, but having her sweet response instead of disgust (like I felt!) was just refreshing relief. It was such MERCY! (even if she did end by saying when I thanked her for her amazing attitude, "Oh, it's the perks of being a GRANDMA!"--one day, I'll be that kind too).
I had just been listening to Elder Renlund's Conference talk, where my favorite line is:
God delights in mercy and does not begrudge its use.
I may be a tired mess, and be losing it in so many ways, but I ALSO delight in MERCY!!! & I really felt like others' mercy towards me was a bridge to Heaven.
I had a little cold last week, so did Thomas, Seth, Jane, & Emily, who even got tested for Covid! (negative!). We did fit in the first Tremonton Pumpkin Walk, and have been loving the fall weather and leaves! This week, Brian had Monday off, so he worked on the garden and made BAKLAVA--SOOO dangerously delicious!! The kids had school Monday, but none for Fall Break Thurs and Fri, so we planned all kinds of fun (aka hikes) to keep us all busy (& from getting the house too messy)!
We did a DI drop, dollar store treat, Trampoline Park groupons, & fun (only lost for a little bit) hike in Kaysville Thurs. Friday, we played at a new park in Willard, picked up Mom & hiked to a cool Suspension Bridge in Draper, and though I felt dead and not much use to anyone, the girls wrote the sweetest Thank You card to me for having such a fun Fall Break, bless them!
Friday, Brian & Maddie invited us to join them in taking Thomas to the Aquarium, and after a racing fast trip through IKEA next door, we LOVED having time with them there! It was dreamy weather, and they had a great play area outside along with all of the amazing fish (plus costumes!--could there be a cuter baby octopus!?!), so even for such a long drive, it was a blast!
Fun week, and bonus song included that I've listened to almost 50 times to keep my heart happy. Love to you all!
Charlotte/Mom
No comments:
Post a Comment