Mercy Marie

Mercy injured her knee. It happened in a basketball game on Friday night. It appears that her knee has some serious damage. We will know for sure after an MRI early next week.

I was not there. I was attending an elders retreat with the elders of our church. After the injury occurred, Mercy’s first response was I have got to get up and get back into the game. It was only after her coach prompted her to lie still that she died to this desire.

After being carried to the bench, Mercy realized her family was not there. She experienced one of those emotional melt downs that we have all grown accustomed to in the last eight months. Mom was gone for good. She would not be coming to comfort her and encourage her.

Within minutes family did arrive. After the game, Mercy felt well enough to go eat and visit with friends. Later that evening, she went with her sister and brother to some of our dear friends to spend the night. In spite of a broken heart and an injured knee, Mercy still enjoyed life and was an encouragement to others.

The human spirit is amazing. It is amazing what we can endure and then still laugh and have hope. I remember the first basketball game Mercy tried to play after her mother died. The game started. She quickly scored her first two points. She listened for that familiar voice cheering her on. She looked to the chair place where her mother would normally sit. Overcome with emotion she ran from the gym and could not continue.

Now, eight months later, she is trying to continue with a bum knee. She still has the melt down but she recovers and is able to still enjoy life and encourage others in spite of a broken heart and a bum knee. These are all signs that she is healing. She has not forgotten. She never will. But her human spirit is strong. I am proud of her!

Mercy is like her mother. She looks like her; what a beauty! She is a social butterfly. She loves people. She hurts when people hurt. She knows how to encourage people. She loves the truth. She quickly discerns the truth. She will speak the truth even when it is difficult. She can speak the truth in such a way that causes you to say spank me again. What a gift!

This did not happen by accident. Debbie was so serious about her legacy and her example to her children. Mercy has chosen to carry on that legacy. It just so happens that she has so many of the natural attributes of her Mom.

I am proud of Mercy. God’s mercy is new every morning and so is my Mercy. Some people can make you dread the future. Mercy gives me hope for a future of other Mercy’s; thanks to her mother and Debbie’s concern for her legacy.

We should never underestimate the impact the way we live will have upon others; especially your children, when they go thru difficult seasons of their life. You will always be remembered for something. You will always have an impact on the choices your children make and how they endure their own personal trials. They will remember you. What will they remember?

I am so grateful to Debbie for leaving me with such a legacy. I am so sorry she had to leave. She could not be there for Mercy Friday night. But she was there; thru Mercy Marie!