Straight Arrows from My Heart
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Arrow 2: Bride

When I was a young, I read my fair share of romance novels.
I dreamed that one day a prince would come and whisks me away. All my troubles would be gone.
He would be the one who protects me, provides for me, and loves me unconditionally. He would be strong and yet tender.
He would be the man of my dreams.

I think most girls have a similar hope as I did growing up.
As I entered adulthood, I soon dated a few guys. Each one had his own strengths and weaknesses.
I soon realized there is not a perfect man, just like I am not a perfect woman.

I thought I was smarter than someone who entered into a marriage and the marriage gave them no joy.
I thought it would be better to be single then to argue and fight with a spouse constantly.
Is two really better than one?
I strongly believed that when I enter into a marriage it must enrich my life in some way.

Over the years our society has changed. Men are not necessarily the bread winner anymore.
I realize that the unrealistic fantasies I had before,

"Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." James 2:13

Indeed, it is easier to judge someone than to be merciful. To show mercy to someone means to let go of your judgment, let go of your rightful demand over them. Simply put, it is to forgo the debt they owe you.

There is a parable about two people who owed money in the Bible (see Luke 7:41-43)

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii and the other fifty.
42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

God show us mercy by giving us His Beloved Son.
If you don't think you need God's mercy, just take a deep breath. If God didn't create air, you can't even live.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Matthew 5:7
Those who are shown mercy will show mercy to others.

Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Mercy is the ability to admit to myself and even to others including God that I am not enough.
I need you God.