I've been contemplating the topic of mercy for quite a while. I have felt that it needed more definition than I was giving it. Nothing was working together. But today, it came to me.
Josh and I tease with Daisy. For her birthday, we give her "mercy credits" - for all of the things she has destroyed. . .i.e. glasses, furniture, computer cords, things like that. Our definition of mercy? Not "making a hat" out of her for the things that she has done wrong. (The "making a hat" came from a time when she was young and got into more things. Josh would say that he was going to make a coat out of her. . . but she only weighed about 6 pounds at the time. . .so he amended to "making a hat" out of her. :) )
Another definition of mercy I had to learn after living in the south for a while. Southerners really do live life at a different place. I work in a very easy-going environment. You get there when you get there (within reason, of course!) This morning, I overslept. Not too much, but enough to be late to work. I left my house 10 minutes later than I should have, and my gas tank was on empty. I called my boss to tell him that I was running about 15 minutes late. He said, "Oh, no problem. Take your time. Be careful. Just get here when you can." Ha. I have never been employed by someone like that. I do feel that I do give my all while I am at work, and if I am late like today, I do stay over to make up the time, but still. His definition of mercy? I know you made a mistake and I trust you to do what you should.
A few minutes after I disconnected my phone call, I remembered that I had left my debit card at home. "That's okay." I thought to myself. "I have my checkbook." Now, I just wrote a check yesterday. . .but when I was at the gas station and looked in my purse. . .it was no where to be found. And I HAD to have gas to get to work. I had two dollars. I needed ten dollars worth of gas to get to work and back. So I went to the gas station manager and told him my situation. I told him that if there was any way to allow me to get some gas, I could bring cash back on my way home, since I had my drivers' license, I could get cash at the bank. He said, "Sure. I'll put it in, so you will owe it to me. Just bring it by later." {SIGH} Thank you! And I went on my merry way. His definition of mercy? You made a mistake, but I will cover for you.
And what of God's mercy for us? I won't make a hat out of you. :) I know you make many mistakes. I trust you to do what you should. It's okay. And You make mistakes, but I will cover for you.
P.S. My worst morning was right after we got Daisy last year. I was running a little late. Josh was taking Daisy to the groomer. I was opening the refrigerator and spilled grape juice concentrate all over myself, Daisy, and the kitchen floor. That's okay. I'll clean myself and Daisy up now and get the kitchen floor later. So Josh and Daisy left. I finished getting my things together and went outside. . .dismayed to see only Josh's truck. I forgot he took my car because it has air and he had the dog. That's okay. I just like my car better. So I was driving down the road and realized that I needed to adjust the rear-view mirror so that I can see. (I am shorter than Josh. :) ) As I was adjusting it, it just broke off. That's okay. Josh can fix it later. I drive 30 miles one way to work. It seemed that all of the people were driving five miles underneath the speed limit and I could not pass them. That's not okay. Once I got into the city where my work is, I was at a red light. The light turned green. I started to go. . .but the truck in front of me was not as speedy as I was. :) I bumped into his bumper. I started to cry. I tried not to, but I couldn't help it at that point. He got out of his truck, saw that no damage was done, said, "It's okay, let's go." And we were both back on the road. . .apparently, he was late too. :) I had a good day the rest of that day. . .but that was a rough hour!
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