Be Merciful
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:36 (ESV)
Have you ever been waiting and waiting at a red light when your cell phone bleeps? Do you answer it, pull over, or ignore it? Trying to obey the new laws with these cell phone restrictions is not easy. Isabella Campolattaro (Mornings with Jesus) openly shares some experiences from her own adventures.
*****
GUILTY CONFESSION: I’ve been known to check my phone when I’m sitting at a light in heavy traffic. I suspect that maybe, just maybe, I’m not alone (wink). Living on Florida’s Suncoast, I’m sometimes caught in traffic backed up through a few light cycles, only creeping up slowly before we finally get through. I can get distracted by my phone in an attempt to pass time.
Usually, I’m very alert and scoot along as soon as the traffic moves. Sometimes, the person in the car behind me will angrily lean on the horn and glare. Other times, someone beeps gently to prompt me to go. Occasionally, I have been humbled and amazed to casually glance up to notice cars way ahead of me while cars behind me wait patiently for me to get a move on. No honking at all. I’m stunned by their patience of my pokiness.
I usually wave an enthusiastic apology with genuine gratitude. As sappy as it sounds, it touches my heart because it’s so merciful and kind that it reminds me of Jesus. I want to believe that Jesus looks on my failures with the same kind of long-suffering tolerance.
The mercy these fellow motorists extend to me motivates me to be more patient with pokey, distracted drivers. I pray Jesus will enable me to extend that same mercy in other more high-stakes situations too.
FAITH STEP: Think of a recent instance when someone showed you mercy. Are you extending that same mercy to others? Pray for Jesus to help you.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness. Please help us extend these actions to others. Teach us to reach out to You before we open our mouths. AMEN.