Tender mercy

I've been known to scoff at blog posts bearing evidence of "tender mercies" given to writers. I realize my ignorance in such scoffings of seemingly ordinary events and the impact they had in the lives of the authors. I hope to forever recognize the hand of God in the lives of others as I truly have had countless mercies shown to me lately. I would like to share one such event.

Ive been working on watching my budget. Like seriously trying to get some things taken care of. Today Olivia woke up from a dream of buying a new dress. She wanted one from David's Bridal like her flower girl dress from my brother's wedding. Well that wasn't going to happen, but the idea of the local Salvation Army popped into my head. We headed there with the promise of never knowing what you'll find and it was to be an adventure.

Olivia was excited. She also wanted a toy and Ethan wanted to explore. Well there were only two dresses in the little girls section but both Olivia's size. We tried them on and chose a great dress that will serve nicely for Easter. She couldn't be more thrilled. That was miracle enough for me. But the Lird wasn't done.

Ethan came home from Wyoming in love with the game Stratego. I had been wanting to find it for him but it had never quite made the priority list to look past Walmart or Fred Myers. Well while perusing the small toy section, I looked up to find, you guessed it: Stratego. With all it's pieces and the instruction manual in two languages. For $3.50.

I wanted to cry. What are the chances that we would go to a store I've only been in twice before and the kids didn't know existed, and find exactly what we needed. Exactly what my children needed today.

To anyone else it wouldn't be a big deal. To read this, it does not seem extraordinary. But the love that filled me from my Heavenly Father through this tender mercy and shone in the light of my son WAS extraordinary.