Free Flow 12-19-11

Where mercy is given, mercy is received.  If your actions are based on the actions of others, you will never be fulfilled   That is NOT mercy.  Mercy is not giving someone what they really do deserve (punishment, the negatives of a bad decision, judgement).  To giver mercy is to come along side them when everyone else is condemning them and offer them a hand out of the situation free of condemnation and advise.  Melissa and I are struggling with this as I type.  There are those that need our help, yet they have really made some bad choices and don't "deserve" to be bailed out yet again.  The hard part is this.... I KNOW the Lord is leading to help them and be there for them.  We as humans can say "If they don't go through this, they will never learn and will always be expecting for others to bail them out".  The Lord looks at it and says "Do unto others as you would have them do to you".  To this, we can respond, "Yeah, well I would never screw my life up that bad and be that sad". And Jesus would reply "Pride goes before a fall".  "But Lord", we might say, "I am not being prideful, just stating a fact".  "Ok", the Lord may say, "Let's see how THAT works out for ya".  At this point, you know that the heavenly Father is disappointed, yet also know that He will not FORCE you to do anything.  This is where we are.  We know there is a need, we know the Lord has asked us to help, we have been burned and used before, yet will we obey, and if we do obey, will it be whole heartily, or only because we know we should.  I want to have the heart to do what I know we should do.