Mercy

Have you been at the mercy of others?  Or felt their mercy for you?

Today, I experienced both.  Victor was home sick and I had Children's Church.  There was no way I wanted to go in there alone.  Have you ever lost control of a room full of three and four year olds?  It is nearly impossible to restore order.  So I asked for mercy from my Manny and daughter.



This is Jay and Alliyah.  We used to live next door to them at our old house.  We became very close to them and their mom, who by the way, is the one who put the roses and candles in my bedroom and watched the boys last week.  We love them like they are our own children, and their mom like a sister.  She has been subjected to all my mood swings and still likes me.  If that isn't family than I don't know what is!

We grew really dependent on Jay for taking care of our boys.  That is why we call him our Manny (you know, Nanny but a guy).

So they showed me mercy and came into Children's Church and helped me maintain order in the class while everyone, hopefully, also had a good time. 



Another example today of someone showing mercy on me was a complete stranger.  The boys and I were running painfully late for a birthday party.  This was partly because we were overbooked and also because my children need to learn that waiting for me to get in the car does not involve riding a bike to the neighbor's house.  That is not waiting!  But I digress, so not only were we late, we were lost.  Yes, I did take the time to go on Mapquest and get directions.  We were still lost.  We pulled into a gas station and asked directions.  The worker had no idea.  This young man (high school) piped up and told me that he knows where it is and I am way past where I am supposed to be.  He OFFERED to show me how to get there.  So I followed this young man to our destination.  He even pulled up in the drive to be sure that I made the correct turn.  What a sweet young man.  He showed me mercy when I was lost.  He is my hero and I did not even catch his name.  We arrived at the birthday party in time for cake.  How embarrassing!  In my defense the Mapquest directions were wrong, ridiculously wrong.

We can also be at the mercy of others.  This is a much harder concept.  It involves a lot of patience and you end  up being the one giving mercy.  Victor is supposed to go out of town state THIS WEEK.  He cannot tell me what day and for how long.  Why you ask? (I asked this very same thing).  His boss is traveling with him and is making the final decision.  Victor is at his mercy about a schedule.  So when you see me just say, patience, patience, patience!  Then remind me how others have shown me mercy today and make me feel guilty for not showing it to Victor's boss.  I am sure he has a lot going on too.  I wonder if his kids know that waiting for someone does not involve riding bikes around the block?

Anyway, we are on week 2 of our new Bible Study with Robbie about children in poverty.  We learned what orphanages are like in other countries.