Another Tender Mercy

Last week I wrote a post about receiving Flowers From Heaven and an important reminder that Heavenly Father knows and loves me during a rough day. Fast forward one week, and I have another story to tell. I just want to record these moments so I can remember them when the going gets rough.

Over the last week with the arrival of Jordan's first paycheck, our financial picture has gone from a bunch of guesswork on our part to actual real numbers that allowed us to really start making a plan. Unfortunately, the picture isn't as rosy as we were hoping. By the time we accounted for taxes, student loan repayments, health insurance premiums, etc., we realized that over half our paycheck will be gone before we actually even see it. Consequently, there isn't going to be nearly as much leftover as we thought there would be to allow us to save for things like a new car (mine has 127,000 miles and Jordan's has 180,000) or a down payment on a house. More money really does equal more problems!! As we discussed things yesterday, both of us were starting to feel pretty down. I tried to cheer us up by pointing out that even though we wouldn't have much to save, we at least still had sufficient for our needs, which is more than a lot of people have, and we should be grateful! But it was just still kind of a downer to realize that so many of our hopes, dreams and plans were still very much on hold. I really want my own house someday!!

After the girls were in bed, we decided to walk down the street to the mailbox since we hadn't gotten the mail in a couple days. We were still talking about money, and as I opened the mailbox, Jordan joked that he hoped there was a check in there for $500,000 so we could pay off his student loan and buy a house. After sorting through the typical junk mail, I came across an envelope from my Dad. He normally tells me when he's sending stuff and hadn't said anything about this envelope so I was surprised and very curious. I opened the letter and stopped in my tracks. It contained a savings bond purchased for me in 1986 by my great-grandfather. My Dad had found it while going through some old files and decided to send it to me. That thing has just been waiting for me for 29 years. As I read my Dad's explanation and Jordan looked over the bond, we both just looked at each other, shook our heads and smiled.

Now before anyone gets all giddy, it definitely wasn't $500,000. At this point, one year shy of maturity, it's worth about $195. But the amount isn't the point. The point is that once again, we received manna from heaven. A reminder that Heavenly Father knows our cares and concerns and will always be there for us. I'm grateful for the money, but I'm more grateful for a loving Father who takes our burdens as His own and sends His tender mercies to remind us that He is in control.