31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” - Luke 15:31-32
Dear Jesus,
Like Jonah, I have struggled with how gracious and forgiving you are with all people. I somehow think I am more deserving than others. Those thoughts are what make me undeserving of your mercy. Mercy is pure grace and never earned. Help to quit separating myself from other sinners as if my kind of sin is more pleasing in your sight than theirs. We are all recipients of your adopting grace. I love being your child. Help me love all other people as children in the making for you.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Mercy is wanting God's grace for others as much as you want it for yourself.
Additional Reading: Jonah 4, Galatians 4:4-7