Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Tender Mercies of the Lord


I will never hesitate to pay my tithing again. The Lord's Tender Mercies have never been more apparent to the Ford Family than now. To start off, I was informed that Jakey could NOT start preschool unless FULLY potty-trained. Anyone who knows Jakey, knows that he does not do anything until he is good and ready. We have tried numerous times to potty train this kid, and have failed in all attempts. We know, as well as him, that he could do it. He has done it before and quit, stating, "I'm just too small." I took matters to the Lord. For a solid week I pleaded with the Lord to help Jake have a desire to be a "Big Boy." During this time, I had a revelation. Obsessed with Spiderman and frequently upset becasue his spidey suit was always in the wash, I decided to offer him a new spidey suit (so he could always have a clean one) if he could show me he was a big boy. The week went off and on, but by Saturday, it seemed as if he got it. I was ecstatic. Than I went numb. Did we really have $25 for a new spidey suit? I knew I would have to do it, but the money was an issue. I threw all 3 kids in the car and headed to the Akron neighborhood garage sales. I stopped at one sale, and asked how to get to the one that I was looking for. We found the sale. It didn't look like much, but I let the kids get out...yes, all three of them. We walked down to the first driveway. Sitting there on a blanket I saw a blessing from the Lord. A spidey suit...red, blue and perfect for a newly potty trained three year old. I held it up for Jake to see. His big, bright, brown eyes popped out of his head as he ran to it and gave it a hug! "How much," I asked? "$.50" It was unbelievable. Before we got to the car, I had stripped Jake down to his underroos, and he had his new Spider suit on with pride. Never have you seen such a happy little boy. His grin was ear to ear and his eyes shone with joy. Who says that materialistic spidey suits cannot bring us great joy? To me, it was the joy of a loving Heavenly Father knowing what I needed. I held up my son for the past-owner to see. "He couldn't wait," I shouted to the older boy who sold it to us. I felt as if I was literally holding up a gift from the Lord; a spidey suit with a wiggly three year old body dancing inside of it. A couple weeks later I was looking at our finances. I called James at the hospital. "Do you think that we shoud cut our fast offering in half?" I asked, wondering what he would say in our grave condition. He was silent for a moment, and than responded, "are you serious?" "Not really, I said, but I just don't see how we are going to make it?" James reminded me that tithing was not an option, but a commandment. Things will work out, he reminded me...they always have. The very next day, we recieved a phone call about a large sum of money that we had not yet used. I nearly started crying. Never will I doubt again. Another Tender Mercy? Indeed. My post-partum anxiety has never been so manageable. I took the Lord's advice and did all that I could do to prepare and manage my trial. He came through more than I ever expected. I have barely struggled since the birth of my beautiful baby girl...a blessing in and of itself, or the move to Ohio, buying a new house, and seeing James less than I ever have before. I was barely holding on after Jake was born and another child was not an option for a long period of time. We, at the Ford housled have experienced many Tender Mercies of the Lord the last few months. The Gospel is not here to take away our problems, it is here to help us get through them. Spiderman would agree.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jessie I LOVE reading your blog. You are seriously the most amazing person and mother! I loved this story. Your little kids are so darling!

Anne-Marie said...

thank you for the reminder :)Money issues are the hardest to take, i think. so pressing :)

{Erica} said...

Again, no surprise a great post and one that was well needed over here in the Grover home. Our whole church service on sunday was regarding tithing and this just help hit all that I learned home.

You're so awesome!

lbb said...

I love your open honesty and this amazing story. You write it so well and reminds me to find the little things that have God's hand on them.
You are the best, Jess!

Jo Ann Anderson said...

Rough times always help us rely on the lord for strength. What a great example that we all need to keep in mind. Thanks for sharing!!! Love your posts!

allison said...

What a cool story. I love reading your stories. Thanks for sharing.

The Allred Family said...

OK, why do your blogs make me cry everytime I read them? That was seriously the sweetest story! I already knew it and I still cried! So I have been wanting to call you, but Maggie sucked on my phone and it is dead, so I can't call you until I get a new one. I took my first trip with all three kids to the Sprint store and suffice it to say that I didn't make it home with a new phone. We didn't last that long. So the next time I can go without them, i will have a phone. Until then, call me on my housephone, b/c from what i gather the ship has landed and I am so exctied!

Anonymous said...

Yes the ship has landed! I love it and I am counting down too. You are the best and your family is incredible. Thanks for boosting my spirits all the time.

By the way... kissed a girl... yeah don't really think it is normal, but for some reason I really like the beat of that song. =) Talk to you SO soon.

I have some questions for you, so I'll have to call soon.

Christine Fotheringham said...

Hey, what happened to the "Do you wanna?" entry?? I was going to tie it into my Young Women's lesson this week, but now it's gone!