Mercy Me

Training and disciplining is a part of parenthood. This is something that’s necessary, like it or not. It was hard for me to accept that training was necessary as our firstborn began crawling and trying his hand at “boyish” feats (pulling on cords and reaching out for the hot stove door), even at 10 months old. Yet to ignore these actions could mean detrimental outcomes: Injuries, for one. It’s not worth it to me.

We have sought wise counsel, drank Biblical truth like it was water on a hot day, and prayed. A LOT. Just when we were getting into a feel of what works for us, getting comfortable within our  “discipline routine,” I felt prompted to introduce another lesson. This time it threw me for a loop. I wasn’t expecting it. The purpose?

To exemplify mercy.

A little over a year ago, when he was three-and-a-half, our son did something that he was expressly told NOT to do. He then came and told me that he’d done it. I don’t know whether I would be more upset about him doing this almost boastful bragging or hiding the truth. Either way, I was resolved to the fact that discipline was necessary this time.

I began to explain to my small son that he had disobeyed Mommy and that he would be disciplined. Just talking about “the consequences” brings tears to our son’s eyes…it always has. He tearfully nodded and went up into his room while I sorted things out and calmed down a bit.

I felt the Lord speaking to me in that moment.

“Show him mercy. Teach him what it is to have mercy.”

Excuse me. What? A 3-1/2-year-old grasping the concept of mercy? He’d just think I caved in or got too busy or distracted to follow through. I began to second guess what I’d heard and felt.

Yet the burden grew stronger. I knew I should heed it….and so I did. I walked upstairs, picked up and sat a tearful boy down in my lap, and looked at him face to face. I began to explain (again) how disobedience to parents is a sin, and that God doesn’t like sin at all. I told him that, just like in the Bible, sometimes discipline is a necessary consequence for our sin. He nodded and nodded. All of this, he knew.

“But this time, I’m not going to discipline you. I’m going to show you mercy. Mercy means forgiving, forgetting, and completely letting go, with no cost or consequence at all.”

His eyes grew wide as he stared at me. “Why?”

“Jesus showed mercy while He was here on earth. He still DOES show mercy. He gives us good things and blesses us all the time….even when we do things to make him sad and keep us from deserving anything good. The best way to teach you about Jesus’s mercy is to show you. And that’s what I’m doing right now.”

Oh, how tears fell then — for both of us! I held him and rocked him and we cried….him out of gratefulness, me out of joy.

Though he was just a tiny tot, my son was able to understand just a tiny bit of the Lord’s never-failing love and compassion that day, as well as His mercy and grace.

What a lesson to me that day, too: To remember that I do so many things — daily — that disappoint my Creator. I turn my back on what He’s asked me to do or be….or negate what He says is vital. I talk hurtfully about another person around me….or tell a little white lie. THANK GOODNESS He doesn’t repay me for each and every sin I commit each day. I thanked Him for His mercy. His grace.

And for the ability and discernment I had that memorable afternoon to teach it to our oldest child. I am so thankful that, in this particular instance, I did listen and obey.

Meg is a devoted wife to her husband, Ken, of 9 years, and mom and homeschooling teacher to her two children, five-year-old son “G” and three-year-old daughter “R.” When she’s not writing or creating something, Meg loves to cook for, host and entertain friends and family. She also enjoys reading, the outdoors, eclectic music, yoga, and studying history. You can read all about her adventures (and misadventures) at her blog, Muses of Megret and read her educational product reviews at Muse Reviews.

Tags: Christian parenting, Jesus, Mercy, Obedience, Scripture, Teaching Children Mercy, Training and Disciplining Children

Related posts:

1. Heart Oriented Discipline & Instruction I love home schooling. While I am new to this and I still have the...
2. Dear Friends, About Those Babies of Yours For my third letter to you I want to visit with you about those little...
3. Homeschooling for an Extraordinary Family – Part 2 When you have a dream, there is always a gap between the vision and your...