I'd be ungrateful if I didn't record this story for my future generations.
I have discovered many blessings in my life. Some blessings seemed to have come with neon signs boldly stating their purpose and reward. Other blessings have come in the form of neighbors and friends. I've had friends offer to help with kids for a few hours so I could focus on a task I needed to get done. I've had neighbors rush over to my home late at night to sit with my sleeping children while Tyler and I rush off to the hospital with a very sick infant. My blessings have come in several forms, both big and small. It may seem simple to someone else but, to me they were all Heaven sent.
Then there are the small promptings that have led to a verity of blessings.
My story is of one of those Spiritual Promptings that if gone unrecognized could have been fateful.
Again, this might seem simple to onlookers but, to me it's priceless.
Any one who knows my wonderful husband would agree with me that he isn't the best 'go-get-um and get it done' type of a person. He's very laid back and carefree. Sometimes, often he could be described as (dare I say) a procrastinator. But, I love this about him. He'll get stuff done he needs to, but often on his own time.
Once it did take him 2 years to do our taxes. That however worked to our benefit. He filed the back taxes the year he was laid off and the tax return helped cover several bills so we could live.
Our cars often go till the last day of the month to get registered. IF they get done that month. Our plates are often a couple months expired. It happens. Right!
Well, the month of May came and with May came registration time for the van. Now imagine my shock when Tyler said to me, "Can I take the van tomorrow so I can get the oil changed and get it registered."
What??? It's only mid-May. Way to go Tyler. He then declares, "I'm going to get you new tires. They look pretty bald."
My response, "OK."
Well, he took the van, got the oil changed, and priced out tire sales. As luck would have it, the tire sales started the next day. Go figure.
When Ty came home and delivered the news that he would need the van again tomorrow, I was a little put out. At first I started to protest because I need a vehicle large enough to transport kids. Not to mention I had gymnastic carpool the next day. Let's face it, Ty's 5 passenger car doesn't fit my 4 kids, myself, and other gymnasts. But, Tyler's persistence took me back and I told him I'd figure it out. The van was his.
I asked him why he had to get the van done tomorrow and not wait till the weekend. The words he uttered next will always stay in my mind. He simply stated, "I'm concerned about the tires and I want to get them taken care of."
To add to the tire drama, the first tire store with the good sale didn't have the tires he needed in stock. This left Tyler with 2 choices, he could wait till the next day while the tires he needed shipped up from Orem. Or he could drive down to Orem and get them there. He opted to drive to Orem.
This simple task was now taking hours instead of the quick 1 hr. lunch break he was planning.
As I was loading kids in the car to do my gymnastics carpool, Tyler was on the freeway headed to Orem to get those dang, stinkin' tires. While driving I received a phone call from my dear hubby. He went into detail about all his tire drama and how he was now in Orem. Then he added the fact that he would have to head back to work and finish up some stuff because he didn't think getting tires would take so long.
I got a little grumbly at the thought of him being stuck at work late and I was going to be left alone all evening. Mainly because we have a great tag-team parenting style and I knew I had to leave again to get the girls from gymnastics. I was being selfish and wanted him home to be with the boys so they wouldn't be left alone while I picked up the girls. As I made the comment, "Orem, really are tires that important that you couldn't wait till tomorrow."
He chuckled and said, "Well as I was driving on the freeway I heard this thumping sound."
While Ty was driving 65-70 mph down the busy interstate one of the tires lost a big chunk of rubber and it was flapping and hitting the inside of the tire well.
Had Tyler listened to me and put off getting those stinkin' tires, I would have been the one driving the van down the freeway at top speeds with myself and 5 children. Who knows what I would have done. But, because Tyler was in tune enough with the spirit he was persistent and determined to get those tires that day!
Of all the words to describe Tyler persistent and determined aren't often the first ones chosen. Don't get me wrong, he does have these qualities, but they're only displayed when needed.
I am eternally grateful for the divine blessings that protected my family that day. And grateful for a small prompting that a simple, wonderful, humble man didn't ignore and in return kept his family safe from harm.
