KykNET Lent Guide 2023Sample

Week 4: Mercifulness

Day 5: Mercy for Myself

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matt 5:7 NIV

“Mercy” says that we react with love, compassion, and grace to those who are suffering, those who need our love and care. No, we cannot always restore righteousness with one deed, but with many small, loving deeds of compassion, we can better the lives of many. And so, we begin to share the blessing that we have received.

The reality is, you cannot share something that you do not have. There is a saying: “There are six important people, and you are all seven.” This basically means that you need to take care of yourself too.

Think of the image of a dam. Each person has a dam full of care. When a dam’s water flows out, it needs to be refilled. Your dam of caring needs a balance of inflow and outflow. Nothing can flow out of the dam if it is empty. This is why we need to be still and evaluate our water levels to ensure we have enough to share.

Exercise:

When you come into contact with water today, take a moment to evaluate: What is the capacity of my care-dam?

Repetition Prayer:

Lord, give me the grace to be merciful.