New Mercies for Old Messes

“Why can’t you be more like me?” Thankfully those weren’t the words I used, but it was certainly the attitude behind the words spoken in a recent conversation with one of my daughters. I thought I was being oh-so-inspiring and incredibly helpful – but instead I was coming across as critical and judgmental. I truly thought I’d gained enough parenting wisdom over the years to avoid those old messy places of offering advice when none was requested.

I prayed God would help me see her with His eyes and love her with His heart. And that’s when God graciously stepped in – transforming the whole course of our conversation. God opened my eyes to understand that her frustrated responses to her circumstances had very little to do with her situations and everything to do with some deep wounds that were surfacing as God was healing her heart from some past hurts.

As God miraculously spoke wisdom into my superficial misunderstandings I stopped responding to her words and began responding to her heart.

Aren’t you grateful for the tender ways God pursues and rescues our hearts? Our Rescuing Redeemer faithfully steps into the middle of our mess and pours out His Mercy and Grace!

I’m reminded of a guy in the Bible who had to deal with some REALLY difficult relationship issues. Jeremiah had a tough job – speaking God’s truth to people who didn’t want to hear a word of it. Things got so bad, he became a target for bullies – a laughingstock – people even made up songs mocking him.

But then – right smack dab in the middle of his discouraging relationships – he makes a powerful, faith-filled declaration:

Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:

The faithful love of the LORD never ends!

His mercies never cease.

Great is his faithfulness;

His mercies begin afresh each morning. (Lamentations 3:21-23)

Don’t you love this? Even on our worst days – we can keep a firm grip on hope as we remember that God’s love and faithfulness never runs out, never dries up. New mercies await us each day, in every conversation, in every misunderstanding, in those vulnerable moments when our shortcomings are exposed, and in those messy places where our compassion has been seriously misplaced.

I’m so grateful for our Lord who graciously rescues our hearts and relationships through His tender mercies.