For Wisdom Wednesday, I’ve been asking myself how I’m connecting Scripture to my life this week. It’s a good exercise for me. Sometimes throughout the week I have a generic list of things I expect to accomplish to be a “good wife and mom and neighbor,” but that list drifts away from the Scripture that should anchor it.
What I’ve been working on most this week has been to think about showing mercy to my children, and help them show mercy to each other.
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:36
I’m wondering now about how I help my children overlook the faults of siblings. Youngest pokes oldest. Oldest pokes back or tattles. Mom deals with with poking and then tells oldest, “Can you PLEASE overlook your sister trying to irritate you?” We’ve referred to “Love covers a multitude of sins,” and I’ve talked about kindness but I’ve never been totally satisfied with my instruction. I’ve got some black and white, justice-oriented children. They struggle with overlooking sins, and they don’t know when to overlook and when to come find help.
I’ve not used the word mercy with my children. I don’t think it’s a problem, merely that this may be a good time in their spiritual and physical development to learn how to imitate God’s mercy.
This morning, one of the children made hot apple cider for a snack. One sibling said she didn’t want any, but then changed her mind after the allotments were made. When the cider maker came to ask for advice, I asked whether this would be a good time to show mercy. To my delight, he immediately understood the concept. I’m excited to think that framing a response as mercy will be something important for my children now and as they grow up.
Me: Thank you for coming for advice, Son.
Him: I didn’t know what to do.
Sometimes mercy means I teach when I think they should already know the answer. How is God’s Word changing you this week?
Leave a Reply