Note: This is a journal entry from May 2021 about the grace and mercy of our God.
The Lord has reminded me of his grace and mercy in many ways. Even today!
I got up this morning, rolled over in bed, looked at the alarm clock, and thought, “I’m supposed to be somewhere. The doctor's office!!” I made an appointment just yesterday and was grateful that I could get the 8 am appointment the next day. But with the pandemic also came my lack of attention to being somewhere at a specific time, so I neglected to set my alarm clock. I jumped out of bed, put on the first thing I saw, brushed my teeth, washed my face, and headed out the door. My doctor is at a new location, so the drive was much longer than usual.
Now, one thing I am NOT is a late person. I pride myself on being timely. So, I was embarrassed and flustered the whole way there. But I prayed and hoped for the best. I expected her to say, “Sorry, I’m booked all day. You’ll have to reschedule.” But you know what my doctor said? “I know this is your first time at this location, and it has been some time since I saw you. We are doing this appointment today.” Not only that, she looked at me, listened to me, and asked me how I was doing, and I could even feel the smile under her mask. I was so grateful she was merciful because I deserved a “Come back another time!” and a big fat door slam.
Today’s event reminded me of times when I received mercy and grace. One of those times happened when I was a young lady of 28 years.
I had just started a daycare business in my home. At the time, I was only caring for two children: my 3-year-old son and my neighbor's 3-year-old daughter. I dreamed of expanding my business to school-aged children, but I needed a large vehicle to carry them back and forth to school. My husband, the resourceful one in the relationship, anticipated the growth of my business and one day decided to go to his first auction to browse. Still, to my surprise, he returned with a white Astro Van!! How my husband came about purchasing this van is a GOD story for another time, but when I say it was only God, believe me.
One day, shortly after he brought the van home, I went to a music store to buy a tambourine for my daycare kids. It was a long way to travel, but it wasn't like I could search for a closer place using my phone and Google (this was 18 years ago). I remember being anxious and on a time crunch. (Now that I’ve grown older, I look back and realize I spent a lot of time worrying about everything back then.) I put my son in the backseat and headed out. When we got there, I rolled into the parking lot, and as I was trying to park the van, I hit and scuffed a car that was in the next spot. I was horrified. I started crying right then and there. In his sweet little voice, my son said, "It's okay, Mommy. I love you, Mommy.” What amazing grace children often express!
The owner of the car came out of the store. I remember she had short blond hair and was considerably older than me. I could see the wisdom behind her eyes. She looked at the damage. Of course, there was not a scratch on my van, but her car door was scuffed up pretty badly. She looked at me with compassion as I apologized over and over. I could tell she was a little upset, and rightfully so, but she didn't yell or scream at me as I felt I deserved. Instead, she turned her attention to my son and said, "Hey little guy! What's your name? How old are you?" This helped me to calm down and smile as they chatted for a bit. She took down my information as I tried to keep my composure. I sat in the car for a long while and then went inside the music store to get what I had come all that way for. I thought, "This tambourine was not worth all the trouble!” I drove straight home with my heart racing and full of regret. "Why didn't I take my time?! Why was I in such a hurry?"
Anxiety kicked in as I thought about telling my husband that I had just hit somebody with the van we had just purchased. I knew that he would not be angry (he is level-headed and forgiving) but I felt that he would be disappointed in me. I calmed down and managed to get on with the rest of my day. When I told my husband what had happened, he just said, "Accidents happen." I was grateful for his understanding.
I was even more grateful a few days later. I received a letter in the mail. There was no return address. It was in a small envelope and written on a small thin piece of paper. Here’s what was written on it:
Dear Yvonne,
I just wanted you to know that I will not be getting my car repainted now. I don’t want to turn anything into an insurance company and I don’t want to ask you for any money. I’ll get my car painted sometime in the future if I decide it is necessary. Just one request- keep your little guy interested in music. I have two high school kids in the band program and it is the best thing in the world! Sincerely,...
She was merciful to me. Although I was responsible for the damage to her car, she did not charge me for it. Not only that, she took time out of her day to write me a letter and even shared advice with me about taking care of my son’s interest in music! Now that is some grace!!
I never got to thank this woman because I didn’t have her number or her address (at the time, she just took my information and I don’t think I was thinking clearly enough to retrieve hers). But I thanked God. And the many days since it happened, I've thanked God. I am reminded of this single day whenever someone makes a mistake that inconveniences me or when someone needs encouragement and I am available to give it.
Psalm 103: 8-10 says,
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
Mercy and grace are what God has given to us freely through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. All we are required to do is receive it! It reminds me of a song by Cece Winans called, "Mercy Said No." The first verse and chorus are as follows:
I was just a child when I felt the Savior leading
I was drawn to what I could not understand
And for the cause of Christ, I have spent my days believing
That what He'd have me be, who I am
As I've come to see the weaker side of me
I realize His grace is what I'll need
When sin demanded justice for my soul
Mercy said no
I'm not going to let you go
I'm not going to let you slip away
You don't have to be afraid
Mercy said no
Sin will never take control
Life and death stood face to face
Darkness tried to steal my heart away
Thank You Jesus, Mercy said no
Yes, Cece! Thank you, Jesus, for your mercy and grace!
Just as God has shown mercy and grace toward us, so should we show that same mercy and grace towards others. Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you." That forgiveness you show, it's mercy. And that kindness you extend, that's grace.
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Yvonne Marie, M.Ed. is the author of Kill the Busy Save the Bee: What It Really Means to Be Still and KnowandWrite For Christ Sake: A Guide to Kick-Start Your Book Journey for Jesus. She is the owner of Your Book Journey Consulting, LLC, a thriving business on a mission to help writers, speakers, ministry leaders, and business owners write and publish books. With a master’s degree in education and over two decades of teaching and ministry experience, she has developed the ability to effectively educate, motivate, and inspire others through her gifts of writing, speaking, and teaching. Yvonne Marie is married to Jonathan, owner ofI-Witness Photography, LLC, and they have two sons. You can find her atyvonnemariespeaks.com.
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