The Promise of Mercy

If you're like most people, you want to be treated kindly, mercifully. We say, "Gimme a break," or "Try a little tenderness," and we mean it!

Too often, we forget that it cuts both ways. Consider the following verses:

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." 

~Matthew 5:7

"A man who has friends must himself be friendly." 

~Proverbs 18:24 NKJV

The good news is that our heavenly Father shows mercy to us even when we don't deserve it. Didn't He send His beloved Son to die for the ungodly. Doesn't He forgive us each and every time we repent of our misdeeds.

Since He calls us to be imitators of Him, let's try being merciful even as He is merciful. Let's try being holy even as He is holy. It should come as no surprise that when we extend mercy to others, most will reciprocate. But then, even if they don't, our heavenly Father notices and will supply whatever is lacking in their response to us--if not now, then when He passes out rewards in Heaven.

"With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful."

~Psalm 18:25 NKJV

The Thankful Face of Black Friday

At 4:00 a.m., the alarm jangled me out of a sound sleep. I dragged from my warm bed. Why had I let my daughter talk me into joining the hordes of pre-Christmas shoppers at this ungodly hour? I dressed, fixed my hair and makeup. You bet I wore makeup! Sipped a quick cuppa joe and we were off to the fray.

Rush hour traffic at 4:45 a.m. Parking lots crammed--Toys R Us, Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, JC Penneys, Old Navy, World Market, Fred Meyers. We found a parking slot and, slipping past television news cameras, joined sock-shoppers at Fred Meyers--then off to toys and videos.

Long lines coiled in front of every cash register. And the shoppers were . . . friendly and patient, co-conspirators against an angry economy. On this day after Thanksgiving, may I continue to be thankful for:

• health that allows me to get up and go!
• my daughter who prompts me to get out of bed and sally forth!
  
• strangers who embrace one another in their attempts to bring joy to their loved ones!
• God who made us, sustains us, and gives us hope for a future centered on the Giver rather than gifts!

May God bless you this Christmas season and cause you to hunger for a future with Him.