Mercy

I was sharing with some of the teachers at daycare this morning about my propensity to get into trouble while growing up. It's not that I was a bad kid (I guess that would depend upon whom you ask) but I was just a little mischievous, and always into something.

I shared with these ladies and the children that were present that if you had grown up in my neighborhood you would have known my full name. There were many times my Mom stood on our front porch and yelled my full name. I would turn to whomever I was "mischievizing" with and say, "I've got to go." Upon my arrival at home, I often received some encouragement to change my ways.

Yes, I received quite a few whippings and whoopings (those who have received a whooping know the difference). However, there were times when I didn't receive the whooping I deserved. I shared with them this morning that I never got a whooping I didn't deserve but I didn't get a few that I did.

Today's word comes from Luke 6:36, NIV, which reads, "Be merciful, just as you Father is merciful."

My parents showed me mercy by not giving me what I deserved. GOD, too, has been so merciful by not giving me the punishment I deserve. JESUS CHRIST died for my sins, paid the price I could not pay so that I would not have to receive what my sinful self deserves. GOD'S wonderful saving grace and His ever enduring mercy is unfathomable. If GOD can show mercy to me, who is so undeserving, why can't I show a little mercy to others?

That doesn't mean that you shouldn't discipline your children; if they are anything like me, they NEED it! What it does mean is that we should temper what we do with mercy, for GOD is merciful toward us.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T