Even When We Don't Deserve It

"But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much..." -Ephesians 2:4 NLT

Sometimes God asks you to do something that doesn't make sense! You need to do it anyway!

Let me share this story that happened back a few years ago on one particular Saturday. My son, Justin, was invited to have lunch at a friend's house. He told me he wanted new jeans. I said "You have tons of new jeans. Why don't you wear them?" However, being an awesome mom, I went to the store to buy him jeans. While I was there, I decided to surprise him and buy him more than just one pair of jeans, and I got him tons of new shirts, et cetera. I was feeling really good about my shopping spree for Justin.

While I was at the register, the woman was literally ringing up my purchases when I got a text message from him. I didn't like what he wrote. So, I called him to tell him, I was on the way to pick him up and bring him to the friend's house. I told him I didn't appreciate what he wrote in the text to me and that I would kick his butt if ever he wrote that again; I was not a happy mom. In our household kicking your butt means that you will get the ultimate punishment (NOT PHYSICAL don't anyone panic). It meant NO TECHNOLOGY in any form or shape. No computer, No Play Station, No Tablet, No cell, No skype...NOTHING. I took all of his "Tech Toys" away.

On Sunday, at church, while I was praying, I heard God say, "Lift his punishment"! I said, "No..way...God, did you see what he wrote in that text to me?" Again, I felt God say, "Lift his punishment. It's ok." I ignored that. However, through the service, as the Pastor was preaching, I couldn't shake it. So, I said, "Aghhh...Ok, Ok, God! I will lift the punishment!" I had a piece of paper and I wrote, "Justin, I am lifting your punishment!" I passed the note to him, and Justin looked at it, looked at me, looked at the note again, and he forgot he was at church and hugged me with a kiss. Then he leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Mom, I prayed the whole time that God would ask you to lift the punishment, and I love you!"

I was about to cry right then and there. I didn't want to lift the punishment because I thought I would send the wrong message and instead God was building his faith! You see God was teaching Justin that He answers prayers. God was using the situation to give him "his miracle." This how God answers prayers.

It was a great start to that week! I spoke to both children about how God answers prayers even when we DO NOT DESERVE IT! As adults, we do things that might not always be godly, but God forgives us. He gives us second chances and gives us what we do not deserve. This is called God's love, mercy, and grace!

I love how God turns everything to build our faith. Justin wants to be a minister, and at times, I really feel that God is teaching him so many things that God will use during his sermons. I'm sure this is going to be one of them.

So many lessons through this story. I pray God speaks to YOU what he wants YOU to learn from it.

Be blessed, My Friends.

Rev. Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro

Founder and President of Thread of Hope, Inc.

#TopicArticle #grace #mercy #love