Mercy.

Spurgeon's words always have a way with my poetic soul. 

Too often life's ever changing seasons get the best of me..but the reality is that I can no more control the inevitability of life's changing seasons any more than I can control autumn before winter and summer after spring. 

I feel like God has been pruning me and changing me as fast as the seasons change. 

The truth is, for the first time in a long time I have no desire to try and take control of the work He's doing in and through me. I want to be used. I want to use the gifts He's given me for His glory. I want them to be an offering to Him.

 One of my spiritual gifts is the gift of mercy. I hurt with those who are hurting and feel deeply and tenderly towards the needs of others. Sometimes it leaves me feeling a bit overwhelmed. I laughed with a friend not too long ago. I told her there are days when I don't feel like it's much of a gift. (I was only kidding. I'm truly thankful for all of my spiritual gifts, especially the gift of mercy.)

I get to pray for those who are hurting. I get to comfort them and be that voice of compassion and understanding. 

Micah 6:8 has quickly become a verse that I cling to lately. It says, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Angela Thomas painted the picture of Mercy beautifully in her book 'A Beautiful Offering' when she wrote, 

"When our God who is mercy comes like a shout into your darkness, when the father stoops down and tenderly picks up the pieces of your broken life, when Jesus steps in front of what you could have deserved, and when the Lord of heaven says, "I still want you," after you thought no one would, it's the most amazing truth of all....

When your soul is being perfected by the presence of mercy, then the judgement begins to fade, the made-up rules don't matter so much anymore, and what everyone might think becomes ridiculous. The heart gets tender toward people in sin, the snare of their addictions, the depth of their pain and unspoken suffering." 

 Matthew  5:7 says, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." 

Happy Thursday!