Pumpkins and Tender Mercies

I wish that I could go back and keep a list
of the many tender mercies that have been granted
our direction during the past week.
Many hugs, thoughts, wishes, dinners,
notes of kindness have come our way.
I would not do it justice to share them personally,
and that they are personal
I will keep them dear to my heart.
However I do want to express that
I know that each day is filled with tender mercies,
each day is filled with challenges that grant us choices,
and opportunities to serve and be served.
Every experience brings us a bit closer to godliness.

This week, as Halloween approached,
I found myself in a gloom.
Not even able to pick pumpkins with my family;
a tradition of ours worth repeating and relishing.
Two days before Halloween Sam happened
to be the winner of the Great Pumpkin at Scouts,
there was one pumpkin.
Three to go.

I went to pick Gavin up from Young Mens,
as I walked out of the church,
a leader of his in passing asked
if I could use three pumpkins.
He had bought three too many earlier that day,
could I use them?

As tears came to my eyes,
he knew the answer was yes,
and helped me with them to the car.
I don't know if I said thank you, but he knew.

Tender mercies come in many ways.
Mine were plentiful, simple,
even in four pumpkins.
Not by chance; by love.