Mercy or Justice

While in Miami, my niece and her husband Ralph took me to breakfast.  He bragged about what a neat restaurant this was and how good the food was so I was excited to experience it.  We sat and enjoyed our meal and finished with the Spanish word for a "rich" meal-rico!


The restaurant was quaint and in a small space.  It was actually located inside an area in a store.  As we prepared to leave, I decided I would go to the restroom.  They  waited at the table.  When I returned, I truly must have had a bad case of "bubble head" that one experiences after 50.  I walked back to their table and in my bubble, I accidentally bumped into a table where two ladies were sitting waiting on their party.  They had two connecting tables and as I hit the corner, it tapped into the other table knocking over two full glasses of water and some coffee.


It was one of those moments where you just want to be invisible.  The water went all over a lady's nice dress.  What happened next seemed to take place in slow motion, I saw the lady pull her wet cell phone out of her purse.  She then proceeded to take each wet item out of her purse.  Since her purse was sitting on the chair, it took the brunt of the water.  When she had pulled everything out and was drying it, I took her purse and literally poured half a glass of water out of it.  I was embarrassed and felt so bad. 


I pleaded with the lady to forgive me.  Then, in private, I asked the waitress for their check.  She responded with an abrupt "They haven't ordered yet!"  I then told her that I would wait until they ordered and she replied "They aren't going to order before you leave they are waiting on a party of six."  It was then that I realized that I would get no mercy from the waitress.


Remorsefully, I went to the lady.  I apologized beyond belief.  I asked her to forgive me, told her I would comp her meal all to no avail.  She would have no part of me paying.  She simply said in Spanish, "No problem, it happens, don't worry about it."  What?  Mercy-for me?  I deserved her calling me out.  I deserved her being mad or cursing or calling me names....but that didn't happen.


We reluctantly left as the waitress mopped the excess water from the floor.  As I walked through the store, my niece stated "that's how people are around here."  I was so appreciative that she had extended mercy and not made a bigger scene than I had made by spilling all the water.


As I begged for mercy, I examined myself.  I told my niece that I feared I would have responded differently.  Having just left church, I feared that I would have gasped and maybe lost my temper.  I would not have been a good reflection of the fruits of the spirit.  It confirmed in me that I want mercy extended when it's my mistake but don't often extend mercy when I'm the one offended. 


I didn't need to be told what I already but this was a lesson learned.  It taught me to be more Christ like and leave a Christian impression rather than to focus on a wet phone.  If I could, I would have comp her meal.  Today, I would say thank you for not publically humiliating more than I had done to myself, thank you for your compassion and mercy. 


Having said that, how many times does God extend mercy and we take it for granted.  Never   humbling ourselves to him, never saying thank you, never asking for forgiveness?  I fail thank God enough for the mercy He extends to me.  Today, I chose to say thank you. 


Thank you Father for extending me mercy rather than the justice I deserve.


Blessed are the merciful for they shall be shown mercy.  Matthew 5:7

He won't let go

Recently I watch my great niece as her daddy placed her on his shoulders.  She was so comfortable.  She loved being that high and giggled as he twirled her around.  They went up and down, turned around, swayed and danced all while she sat on his shoulders. 


During one of those times, she became too comfortable and leaned back unable to bring herself back up.  Her father had her by the legs and we all knew that she would not fall.  The incident left her uncomfortable and she began to whine.  Her dad responded "Why are you whining?  You're the one that went too far back, I was holding you.  I wasn't going to let go."


It reminded of how I am so happy, joyful, smiling when all is good.  I'm thanking God for being so good to me and yes, I might even twirl around in gratefulness.  Today however, I found myself whining.  "Why all these attacks? Why was my dad injured in this accident?  Why is a job situation so challenging?  Why are we being tested?  Why all this spiritual warfare?"  All the while remembering the verse Do not be anxious about anything [Philippians 4:6]


This morning when I read that, I read the message God intended me to read.  First was rejoice [v4].
In your dancing, rejoice.  Although things may be tough through your eyes....rejoice!  Then it tells us something very important The Lord is near [V5].  Just like her daddy was holding little Victoria, our God is holding us.  Even when we feel like we are falling, He has a hold on us and will not let go.  Dads don't let go because they love us and our Father will not let because He loves us too. Then comes verse 6-the one everyone quotes "Do not be anxious about anything-but..." It is what follows that "but" that is important also.  But...in everything, be prayerful and with thanksgiving present your requests to God.


Don't be anxious, be prayerful, present your requests to God.  He will not let go.  Not only that, when you truly trust him, you'll receive a peace that transcends all understanding.  Our struggles may sometimes feel so heavy but God offers a peace beyond all other simply because he won't let go.


Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again, Rejoice.  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4: 4-7

I want Jesus

Recently I visited my niece in Miami, Florida.  We attended church Sunday morning with her husband and her two and a half year old daughter, Victoria.  It was a wonderful service and wonderful time.  Afterwards, we stopped to partake of the festivities including photo ops throughout the church.


After lunch, we went to her sister-in-law's house to visit a brand new baby and to take more photos, this time for the family Christmas card.  Of course, you know that when you have a plan, if a child is involved, it may not come to be.  Victoria was suddenly taken by the Christmas tree but more  distracted by a baby in a cradle lying under the Christmas tree.  She picked it up and was quickly told that it was baby Jesus.  We also learned that it had been in the family for many, many years and had been passed down to my niece's brother-in-law.


In order to protect the precious heirloom, we attempted to take it from Victoria to no avail.  She immediately began saying "I want Jesus, I want Jesus!"  We would of course return it to her to calm the shouts but we found ourselves delicately following her around so that she would not drop it.  When the time came for the family to pose for the Christmas picture, momma told Victoria that she would have to put Jesus down.  "No momma, I want Jesus-I want Jesus!"


Daddy took his turn again, with no success.  Brother-in-law explained that it was fragile and that it was old and that it was special but Victoria kept insisting "I want Jesus."  Just about that time, our greatest fear came true.  Victoria got off  her chair and ran to another room clutching her Jesus.
We finally took Jesus from Victoria and with large tears and a sorrowful voice she cried "I  waaaaaaaant Jesus."  The only way to pacify her was to give her Jesus.  Of course by now with the crooked bow and red eyes,  there was no chance of taking a photo and the Christmas cards would just be late.  However, there was no greater joy than watching Victoria's desire to hold Jesus.   Watching her adore the Jesus triggered a thought...what if we wanted Jesus as much as Victoria wanted him.

We often pass through trials, failures, challenges and yet we don't hold on to Jesus.  We don't cry out for him, we don't long to just sit and spend time with him.  Jesus said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" [Matthew 19:14]. I was learning a great lesson from Victoria.  I wanted Jesus as much as Victoria did.  I longed to be with him and talk to him and spend time with him.  The difference was that we were all trying to prevent Victoria from doing that.  The only one stopping me is me. 


So this week, as you travel to your days counting down the days of celebrating our Savior's birth, I pray that you too will say "I want Jesus." 


Oh God, you are my God, earnestly I will seek you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.  Psalms 63:1