Only Mercy

My morning reading in A Course in Miracles included this line: " God offers only mercy. Your words should reflect only mercy because that is what you have received and that is what you should give."

So I looked up the definition of mercy. "Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm."

Ouch. This is perfect timing. I've been on a high horse of "healthy boundaries" for a while which have been necessary I think, until recently. A bit of penance and a bit of olive branch came my way. And I hardened my heart.

My words should reflect ONLY mercy. Which means there is no excuse for harshness, punishment, blame. While we also can't be punching bags, I find that the idea of "healthy boundaries" falls pretty close to the idea of punishment in some cases.

This morning I see clearly how my healthy boundaries were useful for a bit. But it's time for another dose of the love and mercy I have received to be pulled out of my heart and sprinkled on.

It's a tough pill to swallow. I do not WANT to show mercy this time. My ego is jumping up and down screaming that it does not apply in this case. Oh, but it does. It always does. Especially when my heart wakes up yelling at me to be kind, to be merciful, to forgive, to BE the love I feel.

Does god have healthy boundaries for me? "Sorry, Kristen. You blew it again. You're out. No more blessings or glee or bounty for you! 1,000 strikes, you're out, baby! I will barely listen when you speak and not waste energy on you when I know who you are, after all, and you're toxic."

Nope. As soon as my heart learns better and I open up to my creator, I am accepted. In fact, I am never rejected or punished. I am waited on. I am nurtured. God shovels mountains of evidence in my face every day of how precious, valuable and necessary I am, even when I am a total and epic disaster. ESPECIALLY when I feel like I am an epic disaster.

So if I am made from God. If I am a mirror of God. If I say I am love and I feel it in my core. I have mercy because I have been given it. So I shall return it.

Only mercy. Only mercy. Only mercy.