A Story of Mercy... and a Pickle.

God is so gracious with us. I'm compelled to share this story that touched a chord in me.

My R (5) has a sensitive heart. He is sensitive to others and sensitive to the Holy Spirit. We are so glad! Over and over again, we have seen him come to tears as he recognizes his own sin. It happened again this week.

B had bid farewell to a fellow law student and that man gave us the contents of his fridge (and his grill!). B and the boys were very excited to receive pickles and mustard and other things... but they were especially excited about the pickles.

After enjoying crispy Claussens together, B asked the boys to come outside and help him unload the van. Sometime during that job, B sent R back inside to unlock the back door for him. B waited and waited, but the door remained locked. Finally, he sent O (7) to check on R and unlock the door. O did... and reported that R was in the kitchen eating a pickle.

When B confronted R with his disobedience, R tearfully explained, "I was TEMPTED by those pickles!"

Consequences would follow, B assured him. And they did. As B took R upstairs, R became more and more upset. His crying caused him to gag. Little by little, he threw up the entire pickle.

As I heard about this entire episode later, it brought me to tears. Throwing up a pickle didn't hurt R. B didn't hurt R. But God, in His mercy, blessed my boy. It was mercy that caused R to see his sin and to be cleansed of it. It was mercy that he was loved enough to be found out. It was mercy that made it plain to our boy that disobedience turns out poorly.

I am so thankful for R's tender heart. I am so thankful for a merciful Father who does not give us what we deserve, but gives us what we could never earn. He can even redeem pickle temptations.