Tender Mercies

As many of you know yesterday was fast Sunday. I went back and forth with myself Saturday afternoon about whether or not I wanted to fast. I haven't always been as diligent with this gospel principal as I should be and made it a goal to be better. For the past several months, I have been faithful and have felt the blessings this change has made in my life. But when I went grocery shopping on Thursday, I hadn't remembered Sunday was fast Sunday and had planned some wonderful meals to make while Jason was home for the weekend. With Jason's encouragement, I decided that fasting was more important than cooking the meals and that the food could be used another time. When I kneeled to start my fast I knew exactly what I wanted to fast for, continued help in having greater patience with my children while Jason is away. I still continue to wake a little early each morning to read and pray and have felt the peace that has brought me, but I know I need all the help I can get. I felt the spirit all through my fast and Sunday afternoon as I prayed to close it, I was so thankful that I had made the decision to go ahead and remain steadfast in my goal. Little did I know what was in store for me only 12 short hours away.
Katelyn had been home from school for about a half hour. She was watching TV, Jake was sitting on the coffee table writing in his notebook, and I left the room to go to the bathroom (the bathroom, not wasting time on the computer or ignoring the kids while I read Twilight or talking on the phone). I was gone maybe a minute or two when Katelyn came back to inform me Jacob had done something really bad. REALLY REALLY BAD. He had written all over one of the couch cushions with his pen that he was supposed to be using to write in his notebook and only his notebook (we have had this talk many times).

When I saw the damage, I wanted to bawl....but I didn't want to strangle Jake. I calmly picked him up, set him on a chair, set the timer, and told him that was NOT A GOOD CHOICE. That is so unlike me. To prove that, when I texted Jason to tell him about it, his response was, "Do we still have a little boy? To which I could honestly answer, yes. Throughout the hour as I scrubbed couch cushion, I was so thankful that I had fasted for patience. That I was able to react in a calm manner and talk to Jacob about what he did wrong instead of scream and yell and feel guilty later on after it was all said and done.
Even though this was a silly little incident, it was such a testimony builder for me. Fasting is a commandment that should be obeyed, and we should fast with a purpose. I know that our Heavenly Father knows each one of us personally and knows what our needs are. He loves us and wants us to turn to him for help when we can't do it on our own, even if it's for something as simple as having patience with the children he has entrusted us with. I am so thankful for the gospel in my life, that I know where I came from and what awaits me in the life after this. I know the work that I do as mother, although at times monotonous, is a wonderful work and calling of God. I know our Savior died for us and made it possible for me to be forgiven of my shortcomings, and I know He lives today with our Heavenly Father. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and is a way that Heavenly Father can talk to us and answer our prayers. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the only true church on the earth today and the only way to be truly happy is to abide by its commandments and teachings. If you would like to know more about the church please click here.
My couch cushion is clean (the house is a different story), and I feel like a better person because of this experience. Like I said earlier, little did I know what was in store for me.
Now it's time to get the kids in bed and get the house clean. Good Night!