Mercy

1. Compassionate treatment, especially of those under one's power

2. A disposition to be kind and forgiving: a heart full of mercy.

3. Something for which to be thankful; a blessing

4. Alleviation of distress; relief

I was telling this story to my mom on the phone of how I received mercy,
so underserved, one Sat before Christmas.
She said you should blog that so you don't forget.
So, here it goes...
It was December 12. My Christmas "To Do" list was long and I had a few hours where Rob was watching the kids and I was going to try to go knock it ALL out. That way our Christmas shopping would be done and we would have no stress. I was on a mission. I had several great coupons I wanted to use but they were not at stores that were extremely convenient to me.
But, I had decided to drive a little more to use the coupons and save the extra money.
I had made 2 of my stops, gotten the items I was looking for, and was headed to my 3rd stop. I was making great time...probably because I was driving 46 in a 30! I didn't realize I was going that fast until I saw flashing lights behind me.
In the 30 seconds it took me to pull over and come to a stop, reality hit SO hard.
I realized that all the time and energy I was putting in to save money on these gifts was now forfeited. I was going to get a ticket that would cost me. I could have just stayed home, not used my coupons, paid a little more and done my shopping online....and had a clear driving record. I realized that instead of relieving the stress of the holiday season I was now adding to it by now needing to squeeze in defensive driving to reduce the fine of my ticket. Despite my good intentions, I had made things worse for myself and not better. It felt bad.
The officer came to the car and asked me if I was in a hurry for some reason.
For a second, I felt like telling him about my Christmas coupons and how I was just trying to get a lot done (because I am rarely a woman of few words)...
but then realized that was a ridiculous reason to be speeding.
People can't speed because they have a long to-do list!
So, I just said, "no, i just didn't realize I was going that fast."
He then looked at my car inspection sticker and asked me if I knew it had expired on Dec 1.
Again, I said, "no, I did not."
Any hopes (which were not high but in the back of my mind a little part of me was still hoping) I had of a warning were now gone. I was guilty of two infractions. There was no way this officer could let me off...even if he wanted to.
In the quiet, while I waited for the officer to come back with my ticket,
I just sat and talked with God. I knew I had created this dilema for myself. I was just talking to him about how I had my mind to wrapped up in "stuff" and how I had failed to focus on what I was doing. I wasn't asking him for anything. I knew I was getting the consequence I deserved. I just needed my closest friend to listen.
I saw the officer returning to the car with nothing in his hand except my Driver's Lisence.
I was like what? It looks like I'm not going to get a ticket.
I rolled down my window.
He said, "You are free to go. Slow down and get your car inspected."
I thanked him as the tears welled in my eyes.
I rolled up my window and just cried.
The feeling of receiving mercy ...when you deserve punishment...is just powerful.
I had been restored. My mission was not dimenished in anyway.
The guilt I felt my mistake was lifted.
It was as if the wrong I had done had never happened.

Now, I KNOW this story seems a little dramatic
for the possibility of just getting a speeding ticket.
But, it just was such a PERFECT visual for me
and a reminder that I needed of how my God forgives me and shows me mercy
just when I am just caught red handed in the middle of my sin and don't deserve it.
Romans 5:8 says...
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were STILL sinners, Christ died for us."
The feeling of being forgiven is just powerful.
It changes you.
Thank you,God, for your mercy towards me.