Mercy:
1."compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence".
2. "an act of kindness, compassion, or favor" (dictionary.com)
He had caught them shoplifting at our family business, Major's Five & Dime on the corner of Harrison and Broadway.
Phone in hand, Dad threatened to call the police and outlined the repercussions these two young ladies would face: charges, fines, a record. They sobbed and pleaded for mercy, beside themselves with fear, apologizing profusely.
Dad relented and agreed to not call the police if the girls would each take a turn with the phone right then and there and dial their parents.
Their repentance and shame was genuine, but Dad's threats were all an act.
I don't recall Dad ever calling the police on any shoplifters. And he wasn't all that concerned over whatever small items these girls had stolen, especially since they hadn't gotten out the door. The reality was that people stole from us daily.
The girls never knew, but Dad's anger was an act - motivated by mercy. His only concern was for the state of their souls. His only objective was to scare those girls straight and spare them from the consequences of greater crimes down the road.
I tell you this story because last week someone stole Sarah's backpack and shoes out of the choir room during an school concert. Sarah was devastated.
One of the deans used security camera footage to identify the perpetrator. Today Sarah's property was returned. Most of it. A few items were missing and the shoes were scuffed and stretched.
Beyond the partial return of the stolen items, the school only required the thief to write an apology to Sarah.
The note was poorly written, insincere, and unsigned.
The school has failed this young lady. Who will help her see the gravity of her behavior?
Who will show her some mercy?
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