“When was the last time you used the word ‘mercy’ in a sentence?”, asked Pastor Alex.

I thought and thought and couldn’t remember the last time I used the word mercy.  Then I thought about some of the horrific things I have seen on the news and realized I didn’t think “mercy”.  I didn’t say or ask myself why aren’t people showing mercy?

Then I thought about the children I teach.  They are 8 and 9 years old.  Have they ever seen the word ‘mercy’ in their readings?  Would they know what the word meant if they read it?  How about if they heard it spoken?  When have I spoken the word out loud?  When have you?

I realized that this would be a word I would consider archaic.  It’s up there with the words ‘widow’ and ‘phonograph’.

 ‘Mercy’ is a little used word and I wonder why that is.  So then I went a step further in my mental journey and wondered if I don’t speak the word, do I live the word?  If I don’t write the word, do I show the word in my actions and attitude to those around me?  And if I think I do, then how do I show it, live it, and give meaning to the word ‘mercy’.

I try to show mercy by being tolerant of those people who are different than me.  Different in the way they live, think, worship, and look.  Do I shun people who are lost, lonely, homeless or do I reach out and try to help?  Maybe at times I feel uncomfortable, but I try to still reach out.  Am I judgmental of others…..do I show mercy in the way I approach someone or something that is different then me?  I think I do judge, yet I try not to.  I am not always tolerant of diversity, but I try to be tolerant.  I know I have to try harder.  But I wonder that knowing I am not that perhaps I am…