Day 14
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Take time to be thankful. Read a short devotion and a selected Bible verse each day.
It’s Day 14 of the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion.
DEVOTION
Mercy... what does that word mean? The Hebrew word for mercy is "rachamim." It comes from the root word, "racham," which means "to love tenderly," "to pity," "to sympathize with," or "to have compassion for."
In the summer of 2021, an orange kitty zipped to and fro throughout my neighborhood. His golden eyes displayed a weariness that belied its young age. I pitied that scared little soul. He was not a kitten, but not yet a full-grown cat. He needed to know somebody loved him. So, I knocked on doors and asked my neighbors: "Is that orange kitty yours?" Every answer came back negative.
One neighbor said, "If you ever catch him, keep him. He’s feral. Nobody else wants him."
My daughter helped me coax the little boy into my home. He then landed squarely into my arms. At first, I determined to foster this little boy. However, pity turned to love, and the idea of parting with that grateful kitty became unbearable. Every day, when he head-butts me and proceeds to purr while I scratch his outstretched chin, I know I chose well to give Shiloh – my gift from God – compassion and tender loving care.
When God saw me running to and fro in life, with no compass, feral, at my most unlovable, He showed me a love, compassion and mercy that defies all. I did nothing to deserve His goodness, but He extends it to me, anyway. Nobody else wanted me…. But God did. And like my kitty-boy, I will give thanks every day to the One who rescued me from myself.
Ponder the times when God showed His rachamim to you. It will be just one more reason to love Psalms 107:1 – "Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."
VERSE
Psalm 107:1 (ESV: English Standard Version)
Don't have your Bible handy? Click here to read online.
AUTHOR
Rebecca Jones
Rebecca Jones is a writer and cake decorating enthusiast who lives in Seaford, Delaware with her husband Tim, and her youngest son -- a musically gifted young man named Samuel. She is equally proud of her birds who have flown from the nest: Glenn, Daniel, and Rachel, and loves her role as mother-in-law to Taylor and Conner. She is owned by her three beautiful kitties -- Shiloh, Fritzie, and Baby -- and plays frisbee practically every day with her playmate: a dog named "Ringo."
Rebecca makes her spiritual home at Abundant Life Church, Donovan's Road, Georgetown, where she helps in whichever capacity she is able and available.
Rebecca writes for Morningstar Publications as a freelance newswriter. She also has been a freelance writer for web companies and organizations. In addition, she enjoys voice-over work, as well as oral storytelling.
Rebecca has had work published in trade magazines, as well as the former "Christian Woman" magazine. "Chicken Soup for the Soul" has published stories in two of their books. She has had short stories published in five different published books.
She is currently working on personal writing projects which include two plays, a book, a memoir, and a children's book or two. Rebecca can be reached at rebecca.jones.storyteller@gmail.com.
