Mercy

This past week I was washing the dishes and cleaning up after dinner. Chad was watching James and they were enjoying some father- son time rolling all over the floor in the living room. I can't remember exactly what Chad had asked James not to do but James of course living in his "almost, 2 year old flesh"...did it and because it was direct disobedience there was going to be a consequence. James quickly began protesting because he knew exactly what was coming. Chad took him into his bedroom and I prepared myself for the dramatic screaming and alligator tears that were about to follow Daddy's discipline. All of the sudden it got quiet, I heard Chad talking softly to James..."James, Daddy loves you very much and my desire is for you to be obedient. You directly disobeyed Daddy but Daddy is choosing to show you mercy tonight, just as God has shown His mercy towards us." All of the sudden James walked out of his room, grinning from ear to ear, very pleased that Daddy had shown him mercy. Chad followed and said, "James, what did Daddy show you tonight?" With a big smile and that sweet little voice James said, "Merceeeee."

My heart was overwhelmed with gratitude for a husband who loves our son by not only telling him but demonstrating to him biblical truth. It was also filled with joy and gratitude as I began to mediate on the magnitude of mercy my Heavenly Father lavishes on me day after day, after day. Of course even if the only mercy I was ever shown was that at the cross when by His death He brought me out of my depravity into a relationship with Him and gave me eternal life, that would be more mercy than I could handle but praise the Lord, for it doesn't stop there! For each and every day I do not love him with all of my heart soul mind and strength and each and every day my heart is desperately wicked and each and every day I am consumed with self. Yet each and every day, God in His great mercy with loving kindness forgives and pardons my debt.

Thank you, Father. Thank you, Father.