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Merciful God

March 10, 2026

Song of Three Young Men 2-4, 11-20a| Matthew 18: 21-35|Psalm 25:3-10

The majority of humans living in my household are 5 years of age or under. As the older, negligibly wiser human in the room, I have tried to expand our family prayers ever so slightly whenever it’s my turn to pray.  My children most often meditate on God’s goodness and thank him for the day, for our food, or for our family. Their prayers are the sweetest you could ever hear. I echo these sentiments, and then expand to include God’s mercy.  “We know every good and perfect thing comes from you, dear Lord, and so we thank you for loving and forgiving us.” 

Recently, my son lost one such good and perfect thing (a dollar store car) in the strangest crevice of his car seat.  He was inconsolable. I gave him some water and a pep talk.  I promised to do my best to retrieve the toy.  I swallowed my reprimand for having brought the toy in the first place.  His best new thing seemed lost forever and he was grief stricken.

As a Christian, I am aware that every bad thing is what we truly deserve.  Death, pain, suffering, and loss are justified consequences for our sins.  We are the worst!  Our sin is great. Thankfully, Jesus’ death on the cross redeemed us completely. His life guides us in doing right. The Word entreats us to simply give what we have already received in abundance.   Forgive others.  Over and over again. God has been merciful beyond extraordinary measure.

By God’s mercy and goodness, I was able to retrieve the toy for my son and present it as a renewed gift.  God has redeemed us all, so that we may reclaim what was lost in our everlasting life.  For this, we may beam with great joy like a small child reunited with his prized possession.  Easter is the sweetest celebration.  

This Lenten season, may we continue to appreciate every good and perfect thing as an undeserved gift from God.  May His mercy endure forever.

Virtue Jackson