MERCIFUL
The just is close to the people’s heart, but the merciful is close to the heart of God.
For the virtuous, judgment is to be exacted with every bit of mercy that can be extended.
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July 16, 2021
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy”. –Matthew 5:7 NIV
As I sit and contemplate this virtue of showing mercy, I think of few instances where I showed mercy to others, but many instances when I was shown mercy.
My brothers Kim and Kris are first to come to mind. I did my best to torture those two many times in my youth, and yet today both are nothing but kind, generous, loving, forgiving…and full of mercy.
Certain friends come to mind as well, both guy friends and girlfriends to whom I was not loyal or even kind. My preoccupation with self and self-satisfaction many times caused me to take friendship for granted and not value it or them in the way that they deserved. And yet some of those friendships have been renewed in recent years, due to the mercy and forgiveness my friends have shown to me. Mercy is allowing that “second chance.” Or third chance. Or… I am so grateful for the new chances given to me.
And this all inspires me to show mercy to others who may have offended me or been disloyal to me over the years, in the same way I have been shown forgiveness and mercy. And I am indeed blessed.