My dear friend “K” invited me to attend a Mercy Ministries fundraising event this week – “Evening of Mercy – Celebrating hope and healing in the lives of young women”.  It was an opportunity that I would not have had without “K”.  I told her that it is nice to have friends with connections :).  It was a wonderful experience.

My week has been challenging.  A doctor’s visit followed by lots of meds could have easily kept me home.  Top that off with the need to crawl under a parked train (wearing clothes that were not intended to facilitate crawling under trains) to get to the event could have discouraged those not crazy enough to go forth ! As one speaker said, “Satan was trying to keep as many away as possible”.

The reward for such shenanigans was the opportunity to hear Nancy Alcorn, founder and president, share how her dream became reality in 1983.  More importantly, we heard two recent graduates give their testimony and one graduate from 22 years ago tell of how Mercy Ministries was used by God to save her life.  This graduate is now successful in the medical field and has the opportunity to help countless women in our own community.

What is mercy?  The Holman Bible Dictionary says, “On the human level it is best described as one’s consideration of the condition and needs of his fellowman.  It goes on to say, “In both the OT and NT mercy is an action taken by the strong towards the weak, the rich towards the poor, the insider towards the outsider, those who have towards those who have not.”  In the New Testament (NLT), 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Paul talks about mercy:  …He (God) is the source (Greek – the Father) of every mercy and the God who comforts us.  He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.  When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”.  In Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)  the writer says this, “The unfailing love of the Lord never ends!  By His mercies we have been kept from complete destruction.  Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each day.”

Have you been kept from complete destruction?  I have!  In my flesh, I would have self-destructed already!  I am so thankful that in God’s mercy, He sent Jesus to save me from myself!  “He (God) comforts us so that we can comfort others.”  Where is God directing you to be His comfort to someone else?  Give your testimony, give your time, give your money, give, give, give.  There are innumerable ways that we can show God’s mercy to others.   In our own local congregation and local community is a great place to start. God has missionaries across not only this great nation but all over the world who need faithful support.   As the opening of Rick Warren’s book “The Purpose Driven Life” says, ” It’s not about you.” 

I am so glad that God’s mercies are new each day.  On some days, as I lay in bed that night, I think “I’m glad I’m getting a new supply tomorrow because I probably used up all mine for today.”  Of course, I know the supply never ends but I love the reminder that He meets us everyday and supplies what we need.  Let’s all get out of our comfort zones and shows some mercy.  God has given us mercy so we can show it to others.

Until we visit again…

Live Blessed,
Carmen