Gabriel’s Hour of Mercy

I try to avoid doing this, but sometimes it happens…

…writing so late in the day.

But God can pour out grace into any situation…

And it just so happens that my fingers hit the keyboard at 3 p.m. – the hour of mercy.

The hour when our Lord Jesus died on the cross.

The hour when He pours out his mercy on the world in great abundance still.

AND I HAVE NOTICED….

…that whenever I stop to look around at this time, amazing things are happening.

Thankfully, today was no exception.

I WAS INTERRUPTED…

Looking up from my computer screen, there stood Jonah, and he had something very important to say:

“I will prebly need you.”

Yes, my three year old was attempting to say probably and he did a pretty good job as far as I was concerned.

And while I promised to be with him in just a moment, clearly I took too long…

…because when I had finished my sentence, I looked up and he was gone.

I THOUGHT I HAD BETTER LOOK FOR HIM

I knew he was supposed to be watching a cartoon with his brothers so I decided to start there.

Walking into our family room though, I realized I was too late.

There was Jonah, afraid of the terrible cartoon scene in front of him…

…and he was being cuddled by his big brother, Gabriel.

Jonah needed a cuddle, and I, his dad, hesitated.

Gabriel saw that same need and responded immediately.

AND I REALIZED SOMETHING…

Today, as good as my intentions were, it was my eight year old who imitated God’s mercy most perfectly.

For God’s mercy is never delayed…

…even if sometimes mine is.

And we tend to do that don’t we?

Someone in our life gathers the words (which is never easy) and says to you or me:

“I will probably need you.”

And we have choice:

God’s mercy or my own, with all of its limitations and conditions.

TOMORROW THE HOUR OF MERCY HAPPENS AGAIN.

And the choice will be in front of us one more time.

Let’s see what amazing things will occur.