Dada's Prayers: Part 6 (Sixteen Months Old)
“His Mercy is More”
As David transitions to becoming a toddler, new adventures and challenges have arisen. David’s newfound freedom also means an increased need for correction, supervision and direction (we can’t just lay him on a mat underneath a mobile anymore). In short, David—like any boy his age—is on the move! So, the stuff I share below is more of a plea and ask for help than me trying to model anything myself. Please know I share everything I do below because I know I need to get better at being patient as David’s dad because I know my heavenly Father is eternally patient with me.
Yet, I keep coming back to a line from a hymn that’s been stuck in my head, “our sins are many, but His mercy is more.” I really love this hymn and it’s been speaking to me in so, so, so many ways; but, there’s two primary ways it’s been speaking to me. First, it reminds me of how much God loves me and forgives me of my great debt of sin, that it cost Him everything even if I receive it as a free gift. It teaches me that though I am a great sinner, Christ is a greater savior (to paraphrase Newton). Most of all, it teaches me that God’s grace ALWAYS has to be louder and greater than any thought of my sin. I need to major on the reality that I am forgiven and minor on the reality that I need forgiveness (which is something my particular tribe of Lutheranism really struggles with).
Second, this truth reminds me of the story (parable) Jesus told to Simon-Peter about the two debts. It’s worth paraphrasing here. Jesus tells a story of two debts, one small, the other crushingly large. Jesus asks (not rhetorically) which would be more thankful and loving towards the master who forgave the debt. Simon-Peter gives the obvious answer, the one who is forgiven the greater debt. Jesus gives this final closing thought,
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little (Luke 7:47).
Here’s how this connects to being a dad. David may not sin in the most literal or deeply moral sense, but he transgresses and breaks boundaries all the time. He gets more creative in the ways he does this with each passing day. And—if I’m honest—it can be trying and frustrating. Yet, I keep hearing this song and I keep hearing Jesus’ words from Luke 7 ringing in my ears. Jesus has forgiven me such an outrageous debt, so shouldn’t I be willing to be forgiving to David, too? So here’s my prayer, my cry to my Abba Father for help.
Heavenly Father, my sins are so many, so innumerable, so ever before me, that I sometimes wonder if I will drown under their awful weight, under their ensuing debt. Yet, your mercy is more. Your grace is sufficient, even for my weakness. Please dial up anthems of mercy up to eleven each and every day of my life.
And may all of my life do the same, proclaiming loudly and proudly the riches of your mercy and grace. In particular, help me make sure that David hears more grace and gospel from my lips than law or correction. Help me to be a minister of grace in my family and in my home, not just from the pulpit.
Again, I claim your promises and seek your face. Our sins are many, but your mercy is more. Amen.
