Tender Mercies

A Tender Mercie is watching my baby brother read stories to my babes- love spending time with family :) A couple of days ago I was having a rough day, call it pregnancy hormones, lack of sleep- but we all have them. A day when we just want to escape from all that we are required to do/deal with each day. I wanted to pack up and move immediately, I wanted a hug from my Mom,I wanted more money, and to be done with being pregnant and simply to escape my current life. Nothing specific brought this on just an accumulation of things I guess. So then I started looking at different cities to potentially move to, because this would solve all my problem :) or so I thought as I sobbed on my pillow, but the more I looked the more I realized how perfect our little city is for me and our family. Tender Mercy #1. Then I was looking at the budget and our last paycheck had been less because of back payed money the government had taken more in taxes, so as I glanced over what I thought would be a pitiful budget I was blessed to see that we will actually be getting $50 more than I anticipated each pay, 50$ may not seem like much but on a tight budget it was like winning the lottery. Tender Mercy #2. Then i received a msg on facebook from a friend of mine to inform/announce that they had been expecting due 3 months after me but had just delivered a still born baby at 4 months along, this one really struck a cord and brought new tears, not for myself and my woes but for the hurt that was affecting a friend of mine. I started to realize that, Yes, my pregnancies are pain-filled and difficult but I have always been rewarded with a beautiful and healthy baby in the end. Tender Mercy #3. Then I took time to sit and reflect on the Tender Mercies/ Lessons my Father in Heaven had taken the time to teach me in my moment of thinking I had nothing good going on ( a self pitty moment if you will) I just wanted you all to know how grateful I am for the ups and the downs in my life as I feel that is how i am taught and learn and grow! I am grateful for my husbands job that provides for our needs, I'm grateful for my children ( even when they are crazy at times!) I'm grateful for the baby kicking inside, I'm grateful for our home,good schools for my children and a city where nothing is further than 20min away (and that's driving slow :) ) So in General I am grateful for my life and no longer want to run away from it all-I'm sure these types of moments will come again and I hope I can always look around and see the Tender Mercies I am blessed with daily!