Lesson 4: Mercy in Marriage [and All Other Relationships]
but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’
when there is the log in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye,
and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
- Matthew 7:3-5
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.
Mercy triumphs over judgment.
- James 2:12-13
compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another,
forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
- Colossians 3:12-13
In his book Sacred Marriage, Gary Thomas talks about how marriage exposes our "character flaws, selfishness, and anti-Christian attitudes" and how it "encourages us "to be sanctified and cleansed and to grow in godliness." Being close to another person exposes our flesh and thus gives us opportunity to become more like Christ. So what do we do with that opportunity? Do we harbor anger and bitterness at one another as we see and suffer from each other's sin? Do we react to the other's sin with our own sinful, harsh responses? Or do we choose to forgive and to extend undeserved grace, humbly asking the other to do the same for us? In marriage, we daily have the opportunity to imitate Jesus.
when he suffered, He did not threaten,
but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly.
- 1 Peter 2:23
Lesson 5: God's Heart of Adoption
-Psalms 68:5
Although we miss them, we are so happy that there are a couple children we no longer see when visiting because they were adopted! In particular, we remember one sweet little girl Carolina, who had the sweetest, most gentle spirit, but would quickly fluctuate between quiet fascination with us and gut-wrenching sobbing sometimes for seemingly no reason. She would often cling to a single caregiver, but they rotate frequently, so she often seemed heartbroken over the constant change and lack of continuity in care. We are so glad to know that she has a real home now with a mom and a dad who constantly care for her. We have also seen a couple of children under consideration for adoption not get adopted. The heartbreak they must experience is unimaginable to us. We pray that God will protect their fragile hearts, continue to show His love for them, and that He would be preparing a wonderful home for them with a loving family.
according to the purpose of his will.
-Ephesians 1:5