“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” –  Matthew 5:7 (NIV)

 There’s a strong undercurrent of “you reap what you sow” in this verse.  If you give of yourself, if you are merciful to others, if you show them compassion, kindness, gentleness and love (even when they don’t deserve it!) you will experience mercy in return.

I think there’s another truth in here too.  Some of your acts of mercy may not be reciprocated on this earth, the acknowledgement may come in eternity.  This means that we must be merciful simply because it is right, and not because we want something in return.  Easier said than done, but well worth the effort to “pay it forward.”

Your acts of mercy can be big or small, never underestimate the power of small acts of kindness, generosity, love, or care.  The impact can be far greater than you imagine from a simple smile, bouquet of flowers from your garden, batch of cookies, a phone call, email or a card.  God can use whatever you have to offer for His purposes.  The only harm would be in not trying at all.

– Written for the September 2008 issue of Mom’s Moments.  www.momsmoments.ca/pdfs