Carol McClain

How To Get Mercy

Carol McClain

Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy. Matthew 5:7

A segment of our society keeps saying we need to help adults who were raised in tough circumstances. Their ancestors had been abused  or their parents had been reprobates. Their pasts have dictated their future. They are innocent.

As a Christian, I’m sad to say, I used to think “poppycock to that.” They had resources, teaching, help. They could do this themselves. Look at me. I grew up in a home of alcoholics, in poverty, and with many poor examples to model my life on. I’m doing good. I changed my direction despite my circumstances. There are no reasons these people can’t.

Oh, what a Pharisee.

God let me live in my delusion until one day he said to me, “Carol, when did you manage to change your life?” There was no condemnation in his voice. He didn’t point fingers. He knew it was now the time that I could answer his question..

Only after I gave my life to Christ did I understand sin. Only then did I see the wrong paths of my parents I chose to follow. Their sins, though, weren’t enough for me to copy. I found new ways to ruin my life.

I was a sinner. When I understood this fact, and that I, alone, could not atone for my wrongdoing, only then did I change my life.

Being a Christian is hard. Handing my guilt to God took practice. Forgetting my old ways took time. Today, although not perfect, I live a life I’m proud of. I’m growing. I’m a better citizen. Better human. Much better Christian (but still so far from perfection).

I used to joke and say, when God was handing out the gift of mercy, I was in the ladies’ room. Today, I see how critical this gift is. This gift grows in my life and my understanding only because of God’s mercy. When people follow the patterns they were taught, they need to understand that only through Jesus Christ can their sins abate.

I need God’s mercy. So I’ll be merciful.