Tender Mercy

This morning was a difficult one. Moment after moment, despite what seemed like valiant efforts, made me feel like I just can't seem to measure up to the task at hand .... motherhood.

On our way to church I held back the temptation to gripe to Brandon,

"For just one day," I wanted to say,"I would like to feel like I am winning this game. Just one day. I'd even take one hour at this point."

I didn't say it because it was pathetic and melodramatic and gripey. And it did not fit within my current efforts to find the good and the positive in my day. Yet, it felt true and I felt dejected.

Then came sacrament meeting which proved to be the usual circus of wiggles and whines that it always is, save William.

My sweet wonderful 7 year old boy sat and listened to the sacrament prayer. He asked why it didn't end with, "in the name of Jesus Christ." I explained that the prayer was dedicated to Christ at the beginning when they say, "in the name of Thy Son, Jesus Christ."

"So, it's a special prayer?"

Then Brandon pulled out William's scriptures and opened them up to Moroni 4 where he could read the sacrament prayers.

For the rest of sacrament meeting William sat and read the Moroni 4 to himself.

William shows little interest in reading. He struggles and gets frustrated. Asking him to read is a chore for both of us.

Looking down at my son on the bench next to me as he successfully read The Book of Mormon reassured me that we are doing something right. We are winning this game. And it reminded me where the real victories lie.

William may have been dressed in pants a size too small because they were the only ones clean (even after doing a load each day this week) but today he chose to read the scriptures during sacrament meeting.

I thank my Heavenly Father for that timely reminder and for understanding my heart in a moment of need.

And I am grateful for my wonderful boy who teaches me more than I could ever hope to learn on my own.