Laughter & tender mercies

For as long as I can remember I have absolutely hated to be laughed at. Even in good fun or silly teasing. I still cringe when my parents or brothers bring up embarrassing things that happened nearly 20 years ago. Or when I mis-speak and the kids giggle--it just rubs me wrong. I can't explain it, and I don't like it, but there it is. Stephen always laughs at himself (as do the rest of us), and the kids laugh at themselves (usually). But for some reason I have a really hard time laughing at me.

So today I said something like, "Bring it in to the computer" when I meant to say, "bring the computer to the table". And the kids giggled, because Mommy did something silly. I totally expected to feel annoyed, but you know what? I laughed! And I meant it! I wasn't bothered by it at all!

I justly attribute that little tender mercy to the Lord softening my heart. These last few weeks I have made a concerted effort to roll out of bed and land on my knees--before I get babies up, before I check my phone, before I ever get on my feet--and say a meaningful prayer. For as long as I can remember I haven't missed my night-time prayer, but for some reason the personal morning prayer has remained elusive. But not any more. I've also made sure that I read my scriptures as part of my morning activities. If I can't get to it because I sleep in too long, I'm sure to do it at breakfast (which usually leads to the older kids pulling out their scriptures, too--not a bad gig!). And doing the little things really makes a difference in my life--and consequently in the lives of my family and in the atmosphere of my home.

I'm so grateful for the big blessings I receive when I do the little things.