Mercy


We visited our nephew and his family last weekend. They have three boys, and witnessing their interactions brought back memories of both fun and difficult days of raising our boys.

Sometimes when my boys were young I felt like all I did was discipline them. It seemed at times like we couldn't make it through a meal, homework, or even play time, without a fight breaking out, some inappropriate comment, backtalk, or a hundred other random things they could find to do to push their Mother and I over the line. I remember calmly saying things like, "I need for you to understand that I can feel anger welling up within me." 

Sometimes this would result in corrected behavior, other times they would look at me as though I were speaking Chinese (I know this isn't actually a language, please don't write me a letter).

I realize spanking children is controversial, so I tried not to spank my sons over 3 or 4 times a day (That's called hyperbole). On one occasion while reprimanding Nathaniel I held his arm, turned him, and smacked my own leg a couple times. He stood there confused. I told him that I had chosen to take the punishment for him since that's what Jesus did for us. Although He knew no sin, he paid for ours. 

Nathaniel still recalls the moment as one of his childhood's more valuable lessons.
In James 2:13 we find the powerful words,

"Mercy triumphs over judgment."

It's true in God's relationship with us, and God wants it to be true in our relationship with others. In fact, the manner in which we show mercy has a direct impact on the manner in which we receive it from God.

What this looks like as adults will be different than with your children. If you’re coworker is rude, and you respond by telling them you’re giving yourself a day off without pay I’m not so sure they’ll get your point. However, being kind to an undeserving individual can be powerful. And after all, isn’t that how Father has been with us?

In our relationships with others let's let mercy triumph over judgment. It's powerful, and it's worth it.

Following the Son,

James A Williams

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