Does anyone else out there give your car a name? I know that I am not the only one. Let me tell you a little bit about Scarface. Once I got my driver’s license at age 16, my father was gracious enough to allow me to drop him off at work each morning so that I could drive myself to school. I was elated to drive our white and gold Chevy Blazer every day. No more school bus for me!  

The Blazer became my mode of transportation for school, work, and extracurricular activities. I was living the life until one day, CRASH!! I accidentally rear-ended the pickup truck in front of me. I heard the glass shatter from the lights as we collided, and both bumpers sustained damage. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt. My father got our SUV repaired and continued to allow me to drive. 

Well, believe it or not, a few months passed, and it happened again. SCREECH! BOOM!! I did it again. For a second time within one year, I had gotten into another accident. This not-so-good 16-year-old driver rear-ended another person. Once again, to God be all the glory, no one was hurt! Scarface’s name was birthed out of his (yes, I still do personify my vehicles, lol) new appearance. While much of our SUV remained a shiny gold and white, the hood and remainder of the car’s front portion was an ashy black.

Now, one would think that my father would have been livid to the point of stripping me of all my driving privileges at max or not allowing me to drive on my own at minimum. That was not the case, however. My father extended mercy to me. He recognized my inexperience and was able to not only give me a second chance but a third chance. He did not hold both accidents against me, despite having every right. Daddy allowed me to continue improving my driving skills, and fortunately, I did not have any more collisions. 

I cannot help but make the connection between our heavenly Father and us, His children, when we make mistakes over, and over, and over again, yet He extends His gracious mercy towards us. He does not have to do it, but He does. Lamentations 3:21-23 states, “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” 

God’s love, compassion, and faithfulness toward us compel Him to give us room for error. He allows us to crash in life and drive again despite the broken glass and disconnected bumpers that we create. He not only withholds the punishment that we truly deserve but helps repair the very brokenness that is often a result of our own doing. Wow, what an awesome Father?! God does not hold a grudge. We do not lose our identity and position as His child. Our Father does not disown us. He shows us mercy! Can I get a HALLELUJAH?!

Reflect & Relate

How have you seen God’s mercy displayed in your life? Are there any areas in your life that you feel are beyond the reach of God’s mercy, and if so, reread Lamentations 3:21-23 to reassure you that the area(s) that you identified are not beyond His mercy? Conversely, have you found yourself taking God’s mercy for granted? 

Let Us Pray

Dear God, my Father. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for giving me chance after chance to get it right. Thank you for withholding the punishment that I deserved out of the abundance of your love for me. I am humbled, grateful, and thankful for your unconditional love and patience with me. Please forgive me for the times when I have taken your mercy for granted. I ask you to help me in the areas where I continue to struggle, as I do not want to take your mercy for granted. You are indeed a good Father who is worthy of all my praise. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

If you haven’t already, I invite you to check out my new book, “A Glimpse of Our Father: Lessons Parenthood Reveals for All of God’s Children,” for more inspiration and encouragement.

Copyright © 2021| A Glimpse of Our Father