 "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
(Lamentations 3:22-23) Mercy is a mystery, one that makes little sense; it's not something easily defined, but when we see it or experience it we are certain of its truth. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines mercy as, "That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forebear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. ...To have no means of self-defense, but to be dependent for safety on the mercy or compassion of another..." It is Sydney Carton laying down his life for Charles Darnay because of his love for Lucy. (A Tale of Two Cities--Charles Dickens) It is the Good Samaritan helping the man beaten and robbed, getting him to a place of safety and paying for his care until he is well. (Luke 10:25-37) It is Jesus laying down his life for us 'while we were still sinners.' (Romans 5:8) Mercy is love that is crushed for the sake of another. Mercy is love that sees fault yet focuses on forgiveness. Mercy is love that stoops to lift the one who cannot life himself. Mercy is love that overlooks the deepest poverty of soul and sees the speck of light within. Mercy is love that absorbs failure and in return gives victory. Mercy is love the bows down low to grasp the undeserving hand of an enemy. Mercy is love that hears the cry of the broken and brings peace. Mercy is love that overwhelms the fallen, restores the sick, captivates the sinner, and compels the saint. Mercy is love that expects nothing in return yet gives everything. Mercy is love that drowns the impetus of fear. Mercy is love that runs with open arms to the abandoned, betrayed, belittled, and forsaken. Mercy is love that never fails, never ceases, and never quits. Mercy is love that carries the burden of another. Mercy is love that acts on unconditional impulse. Mercy is love that speaks, dispelling silence. Mercy is love that dies so that others might live. Mercy is love that inspires sacrifice. Extend mercy...love extravagantly...forgive abundantly Written by Anne Marie Hawke September 2019 If you would like to subscribe to my blog or find out more about my writing, please visit my website at hawkewriter.com
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 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:13-14)
I pushed past the doubt and worry I pushed past complacency and fear I pushed past lying voices and darkness I pushed past it all to wind up here The path has been near impossible My ability to see so dim The rocks and boulders before me Cause me to focus on Him I have turned to the right and left I have stumbled along the way I have gotten stuck in the mire I have cursed the break of day I have been distracted by lesser things Took my eyes off the path once or twice I have compared the trials of my path To the path paved with seeming life I have been cut by the rocky ledges I have been gouged by thoughts of death I have been broken on the rocks of rebellion I have struggled to take my next breath I found myself noticing each hardship As something that halted my steps That made me yearn for the easy path One with no detours, pain or death But this is the path I have chosen The path marked out for me This is the path that is hard And nothing on this path is free The path of destruction is easy The breadth of its gate is wide But all that you find when you get there Is the truth that was wrapped in a lie It is easier to quit than to conquer It is easier to stop than to stand It is easier to forsake than forgive It is easier to say 'I can't' than 'I can' It is easier to follow the crowd It is easier to just fit in It is easier to walk with the many Than it is to walk with Him It's the easy things in life That make our path smooth and straight It's the easy things in life That drive us toward the wider gate Do not seek what is easy But rather choose the path that is hard It's the narrow gate, the gate that few find That's the gate that we should charge Charge through all of the obstacles Through the rivers, through the pain Charge ahead on the hard path For all of the loss is truly gain You gain a hero's welcome You gain a race well run You gain the awesome honor Of your King saying, "Well done!" Written by Anne Marie Hawke September 2019 To subscribe to my blog or to find out more about my writing please visit my website at hawkewriter.com |
qUIET IN CHAOSQuiet in Chaos is a blog about nothing, everything, and all things inbetween…it’s a space, an ellipsis, a deep pause. Life can be chaotic, and often needs more moments of quiet…So join me as I share and give through the written word, the place I find my Quiet in Chaos… Archives
January 2020
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