Mercy

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FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY

So now on Fridays a group of people who love to throw caution to the wind and just write without worrying if it’s just right gather to share what five minutes buys them. While the kids are changing into their swimming suits, while the popcorn is popping, while the dog is outside doing his business, while the show cuts to commercial. Just five minutes.

Today, the prompt is: Mercy

So, Peter wants to know how many times he should forgive someone. “Is it seven times, Lord?” And Jesus responds, No Peter. Seventy times seven.

Jesus is trying to teach Peter, and me, about mercy.

Peter is exploring the limits of mercy. How much? How many times? But Jesus wants to blow open the closed door that is ‘limits’, and reveal an ocean of forgiveness, of peacemaking, of healing…of mercy.

‘Seventy times seven’ means ‘to infinity and beyond.’ Or, like that AT&T commercial says, ‘Infinity times infinity.’ There is no end to the mercy of the Father.

Did you hurt me…again? Did I hurt you for the bazillionth time? We have a choice. We can put limits on forgiveness, or mirror the limitless quality of mercy found in the Father.

I feel a bit claustrophobic with the limits. I’d rather be boundless in mercy as he as merciful. To put that into practice means that there is healing, forgiveness and restoration.

I want to be that instrument of reconciliation and peace. So come with me, Spirit of God, and help me soar on the wings of mercy. To infinity and beyond.


72 thoughts on “ Mercy ”

    • Hi Dianna! Thank you so much for your comment, Diana. How I love to see you here :)

      You are so right! If God wasn’t in my life, I wouldn’t even think about being merciful. Well, not very much anyway. I am so thankful for a faith that challenges me everyday.

      Have a blessed weekend, my friend!
      Ceil

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  3. A wonderful post Ceil. I struggle with the fine line of being taken advantage of and just showing mercy to others and making that sacrifice. Praying too that I can find that mercy when it is really needed. Have a great day.

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    • Hi Kathleen! You bring up a really good point. Even though we are Christians, we should not be doormats. (I heard that somewhere and it stuck with me.)
      Being Christlike is being merciful, and sometimes mercy is just walking away from a bad situation. Like when he was able to get away from the angry crowds.

      I know how much God has been merciful to me, and I hope I can spread that mercy to all around me. It’s a challenge!
      Great comment today, thank you!
      Ceil

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    • Hi Janet! I know, the world would be such a peaceful garden. Like in the beginning!

      Thank you for your supportive comment, Janet. If we keep praying, things will get better, that much I do know for sure.

      Have a blessed weekend!
      Ceil

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  6. Imagine if our justice system was based on true restorative justice and mercy. Sometimes God calls on us to forgive the most horrible things. Wow. Life is hard, forgiveness is hard but we find rest in Jesus. “All who are heavy laden come unto me.” Let go of the burden of holding a grudge and give it to Jesus. Moving post. My heart swelled with joy.

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    • Hi Mary! Oh, thank you for your words on the post, Mary. You are so kind to me.

      So true, it’s so darn hard to be merciful in the good, and then we are called to be that mercy to people who hurt us. That grudge holding hurts twice. The person I am having a problem with, and then me. Yuk.

      So glad we know each other, my friend. Have a blessed weekend!
      Ceil

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  7. “We can put limits on forgiveness.” Ouch! I am ashamed to say I have probably done that before….yet God NEVER puts a limit on forgiveness. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this, my dear Ceil! It is so good to visit you – you probably thought I dropped of the face of earth :) Close…just dropped of the face of blogging for a few days. I hope you’re doing well, friend. Have a lovely weekend.

    Hugs to you!

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    • Hi Stephanie! So glad to see you! We all need a break from time to time, I hope you had some time to relax?

      Oh my, I know that I have put limits on forgiveness, just like Peter was trying to do. So human. But I know I have to do better. With his grace, I know I will!

      Hug right back, my friend!
      Ceil

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  8. Just a short time ago, Yah made me aware that I had lost compassion and patience (I am baring my soul today). I had forgotten the ‘pit’ from which He had lifted me out of…I had forgotten how limitless His Mercy truly is! In this season of repentance (on the Biblical calendar) my heart was heavy with shame. With the deepest of remorse I asked forgiveness and He showed me Mercy YET AGAIN! There is NO way to ‘out trump’ our God concerning Mercy! **But perhaps we should try?!** It is with tears I type this because He desires us to TRY to be like Him, to remember where and what He brought us out of, our own personal Egypts. And to show His loving compassion for those who don’t walk in truth YET, because through our mercy, our compassion and patience, they might see Him and His Truth and be drawn to it. I have been His for so very long, but only recently I am beginning to understand His Mercy. Blessings in Messiah, Kelly

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    • Hi Kelly! This is just a beautiful comment. How God is working in you! Yes, I do think that we should strive to outdo the Lord in mercy. It reminds me of that saying, “Shoot for the moon, you’ll at least hit the stars!”

      He is never outdone in mercy, Alleluia! Your words are so inspiring. Thank you for baring your soul today. It is a grace-filled one, that is for sure.

      So happy to see you, Kelly. You are such a blessing.
      Ceil

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  9. Good post on mercy. Have enjoyed others today on this subject. Sometimes I find it hard to have mercy with myself, forgive me when I fail. Then I realize it’s not about me, it’s about His mercy toward me. Good reminders

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    • Hi Betty! So nice to meet you today! There are a lot of blogs on mercy from the Five Minute Friday bloghop. It is fun to go around and see what everyone’s idea of mercy is. Love it!

      We do have trouble being merciful to ourselves. Good point! Charity begins at home, and so we should become experts at giving ourselves a second chance. Then we can share that with our neighbor. Great insight!

      Thank you so much for coming on over! I hope you will come again, and we can get to know each other better.
      Happy Weekend!
      Ceil

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  10. I’m joining the others…love the last paraghaph. I love the entire post but really love the last part. “So come with me, Spirit of God, and help me soar on the wings of mercy. To infinity and beyond.” Joining you in this prayer friend. Beautiful!! Much love to you.

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    • Hi Beth! Thank you for your kind comment. I really liked the last lines too, so no worries. I don’t know what that saying was so present in my head, but it works!

      Love to you too, Beth. And prayers for peace.
      Ceil

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  11. What a great post. God’s mercy is indeed boundless. I am so thankful for that. Now I need to let his mercy and forgiveness flow through me to others. Have a great weekend and have a wonderful birthday!

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    • Hi Deb! Thank you! I am so glad you liked it. I am thankful for his mercy too. “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever!” Your comment reminds me of that song :)

      I hope his mercy does travel through me too. It did with you, so nice of you to wish me a happy birthday! Another birthday…that’s a mercy too!

      Happy weekend to you too, my friend.
      Ceil

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    • Hi Happyone! (What a great name, btw!) It was so nice to meet you today :)

      Your photo was so lovely, I can see why you get out there and walk. Nature is so gorgeous, and fall is coming. It will get even prettier!

      Have a blessed weekend,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Linda! I am so glad you liked what you read. It was a good exercise for me, I always knew about mercy, but defining it? That took some thought.

      I hope you have a wonderful weekend, Linda. I am so happy that we are blog-friends.
      Ceil

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    • Hi Kristi! So true, I didn’t even think of that verse! If I had, I would have used it for sure. Thank you so much for mentioning that!

      I will join in your prayer. I hope to be merciful as he is merciful. A good goal :)

      Happy Friday!
      Ceil

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    • Hi Patty! Oh yes, holding a grudge is definitely against mercy, you are right!

      I know you are not a witch! It is getting toward fall, and all that decor is coming out. Your witch was really cute.

      Hugs back to you, my friend. Have a wonderful weekend!
      Ceil

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    • Hi Mia! Good point about how not showing mercy backfires. It makes me bitter, and like Patty said, holds a grudge. Yuk. Not good.

      It is an empty place too. Again, great point. Thank you for your wisdom-filled comment today, Mia! So nice to see you here.

      Happy Friday!
      Ceil

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    • Hi Gretchen! Thank you for your encouraging comment, I really appreciate it. And yes, our God is a merciful God. Time after time, he forgives me for what I have done, never holding back. I want to strive to be more like that.

      Have a wonderful weekend!
      Ceil

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  18. I’d love to be able to have that kind of limitless mercy and forgiveness but until then…… prayers.

    Yes, we have a choice. And one of those choices is to learn from finding ourselves back in the same situations as before, so that we don’t have to continuously go through the same pain or worse. There’s a peace in taking a new road too.

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    • Hi Rum Punch! I hope you don’t think I have it all figured out either. We’re all human and trying and that’s what matters. Prayer is a powerful weapon to keep me on the right track, so I agree with you there!

      I am working on a blogpost about constantly returning to the same mistakes. I don’t think there are many who don’t do that over one thing or another. I hope that God will continue to strengthen me, so I can get to that new, peaceful road.

      Thank you for visiting today, and making a comment too.
      Ceil

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    • Hi Jenn! It was nice to meet you on the FMF bloghop today!

      Thank you for your kind comment. I am very thankful for his mercy too. It allows me the freedom to be forgiven and to try again. What love the Father has for us!

      Have a blessed weekend :)
      Ceil

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  20. Oh yes my friend! Unlimited mercy for others, just as our Father has for us! For it is His mercies that are new for us every morning, so how can we withhold it from others? Sometimes it’s easier said than done, but when we truly understand His love for us, it will be so easy to extend that unconditional love to others. Thanks so much for sharing this!

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    • Hi Michell! Your comment just perfectly describes where I am in mercy. I really do want to pass it along, and it is easier said than done. Mary pointed out that we have to have mercy on our enemies too, and that’s a tough one too.

      I need his grace more and more. But in his mercy, he will help me to make the right and good decisions: to be forgiving and merciful.

      Thank you for your comment today!
      Ceil

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  22. Wow, the mercy of God is completely mind-blowing isn’t it? I fall short of this in so many ways in my attitudes towards other people. Love what you have written here!

    Thanks for linking up at Essential Fridays.
    Blessings
    Mel from Essential Thing Devotions

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    • Hi Mel! Thank you for hosting this awesome blog hop!

      Thank you for your supportive comment, I am so happy that you liked what I wrote. I fall short too, I think it’s all about trying!

      Have a wonderful weekend!
      Ceil

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  24. Hi, Ceil!
    I come from Betty’s. Your blog is lovely!
    What a good message for only five minutes of prep. My favorite line: “I feel a bit claustrophobic with the limits. I’d rather be boundless in mercy as he as merciful.” I will take that into my spirit as well today.

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    • Hi Saleslady! Welcome! I am always so happy to meet new blog-friends!

      I am so glad you liked what you read today! It was a good exercise for me, because I never really defined the word ‘mercy’ before. It was fun!

      Have a great weekend! I look forward to getting to know you better :)
      Ceil

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    • Hi Marcie! I’m so glad that you liked what you saw in this post. The Five Minute Friday thing is a really good idea, but I didn’t start it! Anyone can join the bloghop on Fridays, so take a look at lisajobaker.com. Maybe you’d like to try it sometime? I don’t do it every Friday, but I always enjoy the challenge.

      Good to see you today! Have a blessed weekend,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Natalie! Thank you for your encouraging comment! I think we all would love to fly on the wings of the Spirit. Wouldn’t the world be a better place then?

      Thank you for coming on over today! It’s always good to see your smiling face :)
      Ceil

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  28. This paragraph pierced my heart.
    “Did you hurt me…again? Did I hurt you for the bazillionth time? We have a choice. We can put limits on forgiveness, or mirror the limitless quality of mercy found in the Father.”
    How many times…HOW MANY TIMES…have I begged God to give me an out on forgiveness…just.this.once. Beautiful reflection on forgiveness and mercy, and I LOVE the Buzz reference because with 3-year-old twin boys, I watch Toy Story 3 about 10 times every week. :-) Thank you so much for sharing!

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    • Hi j.jaclyn! I am so happy that you liked what you read here. I love Toy Story! It’s so funny that the line occured to me when writing, because my kids are up and out of the house. But…I like the movies myself.

      You are a busy Mom! Thank you for spending the time to come on by today, and leave a comment too. I hope you will visit again? I look forward to getting to know you better :)
      Ceil

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  30. This so beautiful about mercy and forgiveness. I learn about this thing everyday and it always bring me to the new thing.
    Thank you Ceil. You are my favorite author in the blogland.
    Blessing to you.

    Delvalina

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    • Hi Delvalina! Oh my, thank you for your generous words, my friend. You have blessed me, what a great birthday gift for me :)

      I struggled a bit with defining mercy. Hearing it all the time, I guess I never really thought about what it was. So this was a good topic for me.

      What a mercy that God brought us together, Delvalina! God bless you for your kind encouragement to me today.
      Happy Sunday, my friend,
      Ceil

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  32. I just love Five Minute Fridays…Haven’t done one in a while, but your post reminds me I must! It’s so easy to see how someone hurts us. I appreciate your inward reflection. The truth of our own unmerciless-ness is a good argument for extending mercy…if that makes any sense! Thanks for coming by!

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    • Hi Elise! So nice to meet you today. I am happy you liked what you see here. I don’t do FMF all the time, but I like the challenge.

      Thank you for coming to the blog, and I hope to see you again. It will be nice to get to know you better :)
      Ceil

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  33. To infinity and beyond!
    Unfathomable divine mercy, cover the whole world and empty yourself out upon us. :)

    A topic about mercy and forgiveness always reminds me of a Rumi poem. Which is my motto every time i fall into sin. haha.

    Come, even if you have broken your vow
    a thousand times
    Come, yet again, come, come.
    -RUMI

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    • Hi Sheena! Thank you for coming and leaving a comment too.

      I had never heard of Rumi, but boy, there are all kinds of sites dedicated to his quotes and writings. I loved the one you cited here. Thank you for teaching me something new! I love it!

      And thank you for being such a good blog-friend :)
      Ceil

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    • Hi Dayle! Thank you for coming on over today, and making a comment too. We are so in debt to the Lord for all his mercy. I just hope I will remember to pass it on.

      Nice to see your smiling face today!
      Ceil

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  35. Love this, He’s so good to us…even when we are like Peter. How often am I like Peter in this, asking seven times, Lord? So often.
    Just to say thank you for the ways He shows us the way again and again..

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    • Hi Julie! Thank you for coming over today and making a comment too. So glad you liked the FMF post. They are a challenge, but fun to do.

      I am like Peter too, always wanting to put limits on forgiveness and mercy. I need to get that limitless view, like Jesus has!

      Happy Monday!
      Ceil

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