Lessons from a Heart of Mercy

My girls & I had an amazing opportunity to work with SeaWorld Rescue to clean up the turtle nesting grounds at Cape Canaveral over the weekend.

It was a beautiful opportunity to spend time together, serve the park rangers who work hard to help the turtles that nest here, and enjoy some beach time.

After a wonderful day with my girls and our special friends, it was time to head home.

I know I have faults, but I'm pretty good at communication and planning - but not this time.

OOPS...
In the middle of the planning through the hub-bub of the week , I had my hubby drop me off to car pool with friends, but I neglected to execute a plan for him to pick me up...so my most gracious friends had to drive me home - quite a distance out of their way, I might add (like an hour and a half)

They SHOULD HAVE demanded their rights to go straight home after a long day in the hot sun...after an even longer week working (and no sleep the night before).
They COULD HAVE made it awkward by oozing with the potential frustration I caused.
They WOULD HAVE made me feel small (I already was feeling bad).

But instead, even while feeling disappointed, they smiled, took me home and made me feel welcome in their vehicle.

It's so wonderful when people show love & mercy even when it's not deserved.  Good thing that's my Jesus' reaction to me when I mess up too. 

How many times do we fight for our selfish rights, not really considering those around us for the sake or our personal comfort?

When someone says or does something offensive, 

do we fire back with our selfish rights 

or offer mercy?

"There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you."  James 2:13

PS - Here's my honorary mention - This little guy was running along the beach, we thought he was too cute...!

Are you strong enough, my friend?

Just today, I was driving along - now let me be clear, I am NOT a granny driver; that said, I was waiting to turn left across a busy highway, and the only openings I had were risky ones...and I wasn't ready to play chicken (not today, anyways) - so I waited a couple more waves of cars.  In the meantime, an anxious car behind me tooted his horn two times.  When we finally turned, he tooted yet again as he aggressively passed me, and cut me off.  Well I guess he told me!  It took some strength to not get frustrated.

Just moments before the drive home, we were at the library and I heard a conversation between 2 kids.  One did something the other didn't like, and the first kid called her a not-so-nice name.  What struck me funny was the response...which is so typical both in kid land, AND with us "mature adults"...she said, "Don't call me names, or I'LL call YOU names." It really made me think... 

It's such instinct to strike back when we feel we've been served an injustice - by strangers and (more hurtful are) those we know.  Maybe us adults have the will-power not to do the whole name-calling thing, but we strike back in other ways.  Sometimes subtly, other times more aggressively or hurtful...but honestly, do you expect a turn-around response like, "Wow, thank you for setting me straight!"?!?

What we need to do instead, is lead by example; display the attitude you want to receive and see the person who hurt us as an opportunity to show kindness, instead of seeking justice.  Be the one to bring peace to a situation or person's heart...one small gesture at a time.

  

           The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before it bursts. Proverbs 17:14

Those who show kindness instead of justice are the people who stand out - especially in our society where we are independent, strong and DON'T LET PEOPLE WALK ALL OVER US...it's natural to strike back!  But really?  Should we?
 

-         Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"  Romans 15:1-2