More Mercy Please

Mercy = to show compassion or forgiveness toward someone who deserves punishment.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 NIV

Have I shown mercy? Yes, many times when a person’s actions or words insult or offend me, I swallow my disgust, silently count to ten and ask God to tell me how to respond. When I open my mouth, again, I am ready to show mercy by forgiving them “who know not what they do.” Certainly, I am not consistent in showing mercy, but I continually pray for His intervention when I am in these situations. So, because I show mercy . . .

do I receive mercy? Yes, God forgives me when I admit my disobedience. He washes my slate clean when I come to Him in humble repentance. Yes, a number of people have shown me mercy by kindly overlooking my rudeness, ignorance or selfishness.

Suddenly, right in the middle of this seemingly nonchalant consideration of mercy, God points His finger at me and reveals a terribly bad habit I have that requires constant mercy: back-seat driving! Sadly, I realize that my husband has suffered quietly through years, even decades, of my nagging back-seat driving. Oh, Lord, I know you will forgive me, but will he? My heart aches with the realization that, despite my unkind words toward him, he never complains back; he just ignores me and looks straight ahead. He must have developed an automatic shut-off valve when I “assist” him with his driving skills. Yet, who am I to think that I drive better or safer than he does? Compared to his driving record, mine pales.

Lord, what is the matter with me? Why must I keep trying my husband’s patience? If I am frustrating my husband, I must be frustrating you, too! God, help me!
Stop me from back-seat driving so that I may return the kindness he has shown me.
Stop me from back-seat driving so that I may show him my love through the absence of unkind words.
Release me from my need to control the driving habits of my husband.
God, help me release control. Breathe in . . . breathe out. Enjoy the scenery instead!
God, where am putting my trust? Help me trust You to keep me safe in the car!

Lord, thank you a thousand times for giving me a husband is who is an excellent driver. Forgive me for being an un-appreciating wife.

To my dear husband: please forgive me for all these years of back-seat driving. I am sorry! You do not deserve this treatment. You have shown me mercy beyond measure! Thank you for loving me so much.

Lord, empower me right now to stop this terrible habit! Replace it with a habit of trust. Amen.
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To my dear readers: I prayed this prayer one year ago. Indeed, God has enabled me to keep my mouth shut about 95% of the time. God and I are still working on the last 5%! The other day I humbly asked my husband if he had noticed that I was not back-seat driving as often, but he said he had not noticed. Is that because we tend to notice only the negative words? Nevertheless, I hope that one day he will notice that he is having an enjoyable time in the car with me.