We All Need Mercy

I need others to be merciful to me.

But am I extending mercy?

I need others to be patient with me.

But am I patient with others?

I need time to grow and change.

But do I allow time for others to do the same?

I desire perfection in myself and yet fall short 

Again and again.

Do I not realize that others will continue to fall too?

Often times I find myself frustrated and weary

In teaching and training, correcting and discipling my children.

I want them to be kind, all the time.

I want them to 'think of others,' all the time.

I want them to be peacemakers, all the time.

I want them to make good choices, all the time.

But do I?

I am a work in progress.

I must constantly ask the Lord to refine me.

I must constantly turn back to the Lord 

To have Him cleanse me when I fail... 

Again... and... again.

We all are a work in progress.

This is why we need Jesus.

This is why we need the cross.

His forgiveness, His reshaping us,

Is a life-long process.

When I see my children fail,

May I not be disappointed in them, but

May it be a reminder that I too fail.

And may I patiently extend the mercy

I so need and desire.

May we be patient with each other,

Building one another up,

And pointing each other to the cross

Where we find forgiveness and 

Strength to grow in Him.

Because of Jesus,

Eunora