Memories of Mercy

Mercy, mercy, me was the title of the supplement I wrote on yesterday. If you remember, I mentioned my little girl Alex who is now sixteen years of age. I told you about a situation her and I dealt with regarding her conduct in school. Alex was constantly getting into trouble for talking. Along with the trouble, would come a note from her teacher telling me again, what Alex had done wrong that day. I recall each day after school being dreaded by both Alex and myself.

I recall this supplement for the soul today, because on yesterday when it was being read out loud, Alexandria began to fill in the blanks before the sentence or thought was completed. So here is what it went like. I decided not to punish her or discipline her. I had been disciplining her everyday. I just couldn’t do it on this day. It was the first day of her school week. When the sentence was read about what I was going to call that day, she said it, before I read it. “Mercy Monday”, she said. Then as the sentence was read about me taking her to the store, she said it, before I read it. “Walgreens”, she said. Then I told her that we were going to Walgreens to get her a…, and again she said it before I read it. A “happy” she said as she laughed out loud. What a wonderful and sublime moment we shared!

You need to know that Alexandria was eight years old at the time. This means that it was about eight years ago when this transpired. Alex remembered the mercy that her father had shown to her on that day, so many years ago. She was wrong that day, dead wrong. Caught like a dear in headlights, road kill was inevitable. Guilty just as the teacher had charged. She was guilty, because of the very words of her own mouth. But on that day her father acquitted her. I dropped the charges that were against her. Poppy, as she so fondly calls me, had not only dropped the charges, but showed her some grace, by then taking her to Walgreens and buying her a happy. I bought the happy, not to reward the wrong, but to let her know and see a different type of love. I wanted her to see a love that’s not predicated on rules and conditions. Alexandria, I will always love you. You will never be able to do anything to get outside of my love for you. Alex, no low grade or bad conduct in school will ever change my love for you. Getting pregnant or strung out on drugs cannot harm my love for you. The arms of what folk say or think about you are too short to even finger-tip-touch my love for you. I love you.

I’ve always wanted both of my kids to know this. No matter what they do or have done; No matter where they have gone or where they go; No matter what they have said or say; I will always love them. Today gives me another chance to say, what maybe I have not said enough in the past. I want them to know that, if I could chose all over again from all the children in the world, I would still chose them both, without hesitation or reservation. I would choose them without delay, discussion or debate. No amount of trouble or treasure could cause me to second guess my love for them.

As you can see, mercy is a powerful force. Mercy, that fruit of love and forgiveness that blossoms or ripens, but not from the seed of wrong that was planted. Mercy, that divine moment when the guilty are made glad. I had no idea that she would remember that event so vividly and so passionately. The recalling of the event made her laugh and smile. Yesterday’s mercy had an ongoing effect, even until today. Mercy overrode the failure of that day. Mercy overshadowed the disappointment of that day. Mercy that I showed Alex, so long ago, paid me again with joy unexpected.

Listen to me. I’m not really talking about Alex and me. I’m talking about my Father, who does this for me every morning. Every morning I get new mercies. Every morning, new mercies are available for His children. Momma and so many others were wise in what they taught. Sometimes it’s better to be kind than to right. Love hides a multitude of faults. I’m thankful for Alex’s memory. And I’m so thankful for God’s mercy. And remember, “The man who refuses to show mercy destroys the bridge over which he himself must cross.”