Mercy and Grace
Dear Mark:
I want to share with you what has happened with my husband and I. The legal proceedings are going on but, some things are happening. And today, God has used you Mr. Hamby in a mighty way. My husband called me and ‘begged’ for mercy and grace from me right now. Well, by golly, I certainly wasn’t going to give it to him…he doesn’t deserve it! But I kept hearing you say, “Mercy, grace, mercy, grace.” You wrote me an e-mail two days before Christmas of this past year. It said:
We are to be instruments of kindness and grace to those who need it the most. God had given this woman a miserable man. Married for 50 years and he didn't change at all. BUT SHE DID! She became the instrument that God desired her to be. When the children of Israel were told by Jeremiah that there were to submit to the King of Babylon and lay down their weapons and go into exile peacefully, they couldn't believe that God would allow such treatment. But God told Jeremiah that he would bless them while in captivity, but only if they went peacefully. It is all apart of God's great design. Vessels for the Master's use. To pour out grace and kindness to those who need it the most.
Mark, the words you offer to me, given from the Father, have sustained me in so many ways. I started typing an e-mail to my husband after he asked me to help “restore” him this morning. Ha. What about me?? He should be the one helping to restore me! Ok, so after I had a page of typed e-mail, getting ready to punch the send button, I knew God didn’t want that. So I called him and told him I had written an e-mail of my hurts and didn’t send it. I told him I didn’t want to do what God wanted (flesh) but I would out of obedience (Spirit). I told him that I would extend a safe place for him. He got quiet and said, “ L______ , do you remember when Jesus met with the sinful woman who poured perfume on Jesus’ feet? Peter asked the Lord about this. And the Lord talked about forgiving much.” I couldn’t decipher what he was trying to tell me. So I said, “What are you saying??” He said, ‘ L________ , I have so much to be forgiven of. If you forgive me of much, you will be given much.” He wasn’t trying to be manipulative. He was trying to tell me something he’s learning. I think for the first time he is seeing the pain he’s caused. But God is walking him slowly through it. And I think through that, he is going to see how much God loves him. All I know is that I have to be obedient, walking the delicate balancing act of setting boundaries (stressed big time by _____) and offering mercy and love, even when I’m in pain. It’s all my choice. Please continue to pray for us (individually and marriage). I don’t feel the fat lady has sung yet.
I’ll keep you posted. If my e-mails are a problem, please let me know. I hope all is well. I was praying for your trip to South Carolina.
God bless you,
Beautiful words Mark…
It is all apart of God's great design.
Vessels for the Master's use.
To pour out grace and kindness to those who need it the most.
Oh, but for the grace of God, where would we be. Dying is never easy!
Mark
