01/26/2026
Our Daily Bread 🍞
Mercy and Our Mess
During Sunday school, my patience with three-year-old Peter was wearing thin. He was unhappy, unkind to the other kids, and absolutely refused to be content, even when we offer him the most coveted toys. My pi turned to annoyance. If he stubbornly persisted in being difficult, then fine, I'd send him back to his parents and he would miss out on all the fun.
Too often I find my compassion has conditions. If someone ignores my advice or refuses my help, then they don't deserve it anymore. Fortunately, God doesn't act that way toward us.
The prophet Jonah experienced His great mercy after a time of stubborn disobedience when God commanded him to travel and preach to Nineveh (Jonah 1:2). Defiantly choosing the opposite direction, Jonah was caught in a terrible storm, set adrift at sea, and then swallowed by a great fish -a self-made disaster (vv. 4, 15-17). When Jonah finally "prayed to the Lord his God" (2:1), God was still listening to him, ready to forgive His reluct prophet. Jonah was delivered from. the fish and graciously given a second chance to go to Nineveh (3:1).
In little Peter's case, a trip to the playground consoled him-a brilliant idea by a helper with more patience than I had shown. How beautiful is mercy that continually seeks us out, even in the middle of our own mess.
REFLECT & PRAY
Why do you sometimes struggle to offer mercy to others? When have you seen God's love seek out even the most difficult recipients?
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me with such long-suffering love. Teach me, please, to do the same. Amen.
