M - is for MERCY

Every breath I take reminds me of the word mercy.  Mercy, the power to be kind, compassionate, refraining from harming or punishing, a blessing that is an act of Divine favor or compassion.  The very act of me taking breath is just that, an act of mercy on the part of my Creator.

I didn't just come into being.  I was created.  The Power That Is and Was and Will Forever Be, The Ancient of Days, knit me in my mother's womb, I was born and I have been breathing every since.  How often do I even think about the act of breathing?  How long would I survive without my next breath or my next heartbeat?  The mere fact that I am alive and breathing and healthy...mercy.  I have done nothing spectacular to earn or deserve my next breath.  I am a decent sort of person, but that does not entitle me to my next breath...mercy.

As I contemplate the mercy that has been bestowed upon me by my Creator, my God, it makes me think about how I treat other people.  Am I merciful?  Do I give favor to those who may not have earned it or even deserve it?  Do I withhold it as an act of power just because I can?  Do I show compassion and kindness as often as I could?  The One who controls my very ability to draw breath is merciful to give me one right after another after another.  As I think on this, I realize that I have a long way to go in the mercy department.  Mercy, a powerful word, one, that when put into practice, could change the world as we know it.