"His mercy endures forever" (Psalm 136:1).

I steadied my fingertips on the table. I counted to three, well maybe two. I turned to my sister. Our built-in booth in the sprawling house we lived in during college was rickety. Our spinach pizza had cooled, and my temper had too.

"I just don't like that he thinks he knows more about horses than I do," I paused and swallowed. She gently patted my back and looked out the little window over the lawn. I was embarrassed that I had squabbled with her boyfriend. Our brief spat about who knew more, me the owner of two horses or him, the viewer of a nature special on them, had made everyone pretty uncomfortable. After he had gone, I knew I had to apologize, but could barely get the words out of my mouth.

Why is it hard to take the higher ground, to admit when we've been wrong (even and especially when we've also been wronged)? Perhaps we don't trust in mercy. We don't believe the person we're admitting our fault to will extend us the gift of gracious forgiveness (even and especially when we don't deserve it). Mercy is a leap of trust.

And God's mercy? It's not for just the one-time sin, the one time we deny knowing Him, the one time we choose the comfort of our habitual sin. It will be extended again and again and again. It endures forever.

What are you holding back from Him? What do you think you're hiding? Bring it to Him, the fountain of mercy. Get to Confession and experience His mercy pouring over you. And ponder who you need to extend mercy to today.

[bctt tweet="Mercy is a leap of trust. // Nell O'Leary" username="blessedisshe__"]

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