Just a for-real post. Lately, I feel like I've been impatient and unloving with those I love most. And people that don't live in my house, forget it! I've caught myself being unkind and selfish. Enjoying the free forgiveness and everyday new mercies God rains down on me while smugly telling myself that others...well they've kinda been asking for it after all. Justice for them but mercy for me. What's wrong with that picture? So, so much. So anyway, these thoughts have been pokin' around in me til this came out. Hoping the picture it paints will help me remember how undeserving we all are and how merciful a Father we have!
Measuring Mercy
God was walking next to me
As He said He always would.
But I jerked my hand away from His
And told Him I was good.
I thought I'd walk ahead awhile
And see how fun it'd be
To do just what I wanted
And take some time for me.
I knew He didn't like it
But He sadly watched me go.
I found the path more difficult;
My steps began to slow.
I wandered to a desert place
Thirsty and in tears.
Losing hope and struggling
And drowning in my fears.
Then out of nowhere there He was
Reaching out to me.
"I've been walking just behind you
And hoping you would see,
How very much I love you.
Come walk again with me."
There were no angry lectures.
No smirks at my defeat.
He overflowed my empty cup.
My drink was long and sweet!
I took His hand and walked again
Along the desert place.
Then suddenly we stopped again
And saw another face.
A tired traveler, sick and weak
And struggling to survive.
He had no food or water;
He barely was alive.
My Father gave my hand a squeeze
And nodded toward my cup.
The one with sparkling water
He had lovingly filled up.
I couldn't think He meant it!
To share my only ration?
Selfishness welled up in me
Drowning all compassion.
"But Lord, he was so foolish
To wander off today.
Let him get what he deserves
And let's be on our way."
I would have turned my back on him
And left him there to die,
But loving hands laid firm on me;
I looked into His eyes.
"I found you far away from home
And took you as my son.
I made you my new family
And still you chose to run.
But though you were ungrateful
And left my loving arms,
I stayed a step behind you
And kept you from all harm.
The second that you needed me
And turned to see me there,
I grabbed your dusty, empty cup
And poured in all my share.
And now you see a fellow man
In need of water too.
Your cup is overflowing
And at zero cost to you."
My heart was struck by what He said;
I saw my ugly pride.
To think that I deserved it more!
I hung my head and cried.
How dare we share by teaspoon full
With those we meet each day?
We know He's given all to us.
And how He had to pay!
Matthew 18:23-33
"Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything. And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, Pay what you owe. So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, Have patience with me, and I will pay you. He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?"
