What Does God’s Mercy Have To Do With It?

Maybe it was a mom thing. Maybe it was because we had been looking forward to it for months. Or maybe it was a combination of the rush of adrenaline and the reality of being there.

I was on the edge of my seat in the second row. Camera in hand. Tears welling up.

“Thank you, God. Thank you for this moment. For allowing me to be here. Right now. Experiencing this. May I never, ever forget it.”

We were in the middle of our Florida spring break vacation, watching my son and his show choir perform at Hard Rock Live at Universal. As I took in this surreal moment, my mind began recalling blessing after blessing in my life. There were so many. Including our vacation. Including seeing my son shine as Peter Pan on that stage.

Awe and gratefulness followed, as did more tears.

All of this was a product of God’s mercy, His faithfulness, and His love.

God’s mercy? What does God’s mercy have to do with show choir?

Everything.

You see, I was one who made terrible choices in my younger years. I was one who defied God. Who turned her back on Him. Who wanted things her own way. I had no time for Him, His ways, or His plans for me.

It’s no wonder I made a mess of my life.

God could have left me in that mess. God could have turned His back on me. He could have let me wallow in the mud and the muck I found myself in.

But, He didn’t.

He pulled me out of the mess. He set my feet on His solid ground. He loved me through the lies, the deceit, the rebellion.

He loved me when I was unlovely.

And it gets better! He not only loved me, He blessed me. With an extraordinary life. With a wonderful husband. With two beautiful grown and almost-grown children. Who are talented beyond belief. Who are making better choices than their mother did. One was beside me in that audience, and one was shining on stage.

God’s mercy has everything to do with show choir.

Some of those tears were of thankfulness. Thankfulness I had nothing to do with earning God’s mercy, faithfulness, and love, because if I would have, I wouldn’t have any of it in my life. I’d still be stuck in the mud and the muck.

That’s mercy. God’s unmerited favor.

I deserve none of what He’s blessed me with, and am extremely thankful for all of it.

As you take a look at your life, where can you see God’s favor, His mercy? What mess did He pull you out of? What blessings can you be thankful for today?

To top this experience off, our show choir won the competition! They travel to Nationals the end of April. An absolutely incredible experience. I’ll be writing more about it soon.

(If you’d like to see their incredible, Grand Champion-winning show, and have 20 minutes to spare, click on the player below and fast forward to 4:24:00. Peter Pan is in the green hat. He’s mine, and more importantly, He’s God’s.)

God’s mercy. What a beautiful gift!

Much love,
Julie

 

 

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