Mercy

He trembled in the Corner of Despair with terror filling his spirit. No one to help him. He knew that he would die here with not a soul caring for him. For so many years he had tried to be all that he could, but always failing.

As a child his father had been an alcoholic and abused him every chance he got. While his mother sat in the other room fearing for her life. He didn't blame her. He would have done the same. But he sure did wish that someone would have helped him.

He grew up believing that he was nothing, that's what his father always said. Besides, why should he believe that he could actually be somebody? That was for lucky people and he was by no means a lucky person.

But his spirit told him otherwise. His spirit believed that he could succeed and do something great. So for the rest of his life he tried. He gave to the poor. He helped the sick. He feed the hungry. He even gave shelter to the homeless.

But there had to be more than that. There had to be something else he could do to fill his aching spirit. He searched far and wide for something that would bring him joy. And he came up empty-handed.

So after years of failure, in the Corner of Despair he sat. Waiting. For what, he had no idea. Yet he continued to wait. And wait. And wait. And just when he had given up hope and thought that all was lost. Mercy stepped into the room.

His face was as bright as the sun. Love shone from his eyes and kindness was etched in every line of His smile. The lost soul sat mesmerized by the grace that filled the room. He had never seen anything so beautiful in all his life.

Mercy came forward and said, "I know your hurt and I know your pain. And I came to take it away." The lost soul sat and wondered. Why would he do that? He doesn't even know me. And Mercy knowing his thoughts replied, "Oh, but I do. I knew you before you were born, and there is nothing about you I don't know. I know all of my children."

The lost soul asked, "But why would you want me? I have done nothing to deserve your kindness. I am nothing."

Mercy answered, "You are so much more than you know. You are strong, wise, and steadfast. I know because I placed these things within you. And my kindness is not something that must be earned. I give it of my own will. Come, follow me. Please let me help you. I love you so much." And with that Mercy held out His hand waiting for the lost soul to take it.

The lost soul stared at the hand and noticing the holes asked, "What happened to your hands." Mercy responded, "Many, many years ago I was hung on a cross and I died for you. I knew that you would need me so I prepared your escape from sin and death. My blood has cleansed you and made you a new creature."

"How could you know that I would need you? I didn't even know that I would need you," the lost soul asked.

Mercy replied with one statement, "Because I am that I am. And I know all things."

And with that last reply the lost soul, struggling to stand, grabbed hold of Mercy's hand. He cried as love so powerful he could hardly breathe coursed through his body. And he knew that he had found what he had been searching for his whole life.

Mercy pulled him into a hug and held him as the lost soul poured out his pain. The soul looked up and saw tears streaming down Mercy's face and wondered why Mercy would have a reason to cry.

Once again knowing his thoughts Mercy replied, "Because I have waited so long to hold you in my arms. I watched as you wondered around searching for some peace of mind. My heart broke every time I saw you beaten by life. I longed for you with every beat of my heart and I have patiently waited for the day when you would let me love you."

And with that explanation Mercy lead the man out of the Corner of Despair. And that soul never looked back. What does he have to fear? He has Mercy by his side.