God in His Mercy...

And now…the rest of the story…

            Last Friday, I shared the story of my misbehavior in first grade.  It culminated with a letter from my teacher to my parents.  My mother found the index card outrageously humorous and shared it with her closest relative, her aunt. Following is my great aunts written response to my naughtiness.

Dear Carol,

I always knew that Joan would come to a bad end.

I am mortified to be related to someone that would turn a flip in a toilet!!

We all got together in a family conference and decided we’d pretend we never knew her. 

That was the funniest note I ever saw.  Vickie (her daughter)

Brought it in to me and we laughed until we cried.

Vickie said she (Joan) must have gotten a running start down the block and came tearing in

Knocking down doors and flipping about a 100 times.

I said it was a good thing she didn’t have taps on her shoes

She would have made noise during her flip and would have had to be sent to prison,

Or if she had a hole in her pants; to the moral squad.

Please tell Mrs. Gregory that you’ve written the relatives and we’re all properly shocked.

(at her sending the note.)

            Obviously, I am blessed with a family with a great sense of humor.  


            Last weeks post reflected how important it is as parents to be a student of our children.  To recognize each child will require a different manner of discipline and instruction.  The obvious lesson today is God’s mercy.  He knew exactly what I needed from my parents and our extended family.

            My family didn’t come to personal relationships with God until I was in my tweenage years. God in His mercy, knew what it would take to conform me to His image.  He knew I would struggle with taking life too seriously, He knew I would be a stickler for rules and my own self-righteousness. 

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            God’s mercy gave me, my family of origin...to help me laugh.  He knew the Bryants would teach me to be compassionate. He knew they would force me to learn to pray for their salvation.  He knew that it would take their personalities to help me to love people in the world.  

            My misbehavior in Mrs. Gregory’s first grade class wasn’t as much about punishment, correction or disobedience as it was about the years since then.  I have learned to be grateful for the incredible family God has given me. 

            Moms, let me encourage you to be less focused on the small snapshot of today, and imagine what the mural of our lives and our children will be.   God in His Mercy knew we would be the perfect parents for the children He chose for our homes.  He is merciful! Let’s revel in that!

"I'm in a desperate situation!" David replied to Gad. "But let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great. Do not let me fall into human hands."  (NLT)                 I Chronicles 21: 13

One Size doesn't Fit All...

        I was a relatively easy child to raise.  I remember wanting to please my parents.  I hated when I had disappointed them and can only remember a few occasions choosing to blatantly be disobedient.

         However I remember my most horrific school experience with so many emotions. The situation is best recreated through the words of my first grade teacher, Mrs. Gregory.

October 12, 1970

Dear Mrs. Bryant,

Joan was reported for turning a flip in the girls toilet today.  I thought

You’d like to know so that you could reemphasize to her the

Danger involved here.

I have talked to her and I do not think she will ever

Do such a thing again; but I shall appreciate

Your talking with her too.

Thank you,

Mrs. Gregory

(please sign and return. Just so that I can tell that you received this.)

P. S. I did not “keep her in” for this.  I told the class

That her mother would talk to to her instead.

         As mentioned earlier, my personality caused me HUGE remorse for this awful blunder.  As I presented this hand written index card to my mother, I was shocked at her response.  She began to laugh uncontrollably.  As I sobbed and mourned my life already imagining my life behind bars, I couldn’t process my mom’s absolute hysterics over my error.

         Moms, my Mom knows me best.  She knew there was not evil intent in my attempt to do a cartwheel. Yes, I had broken a rule, but it certainly wasn’t worth calling in the squadron on her barely seven year old darling.  

         My mom didn’t return the index card (which obviously I am blessed to still possess.)  Rather she wrote a letter to Mrs. Gregory saying she had received it and had dealt with me appropriately.  She actually sent this little keepsake to her aunt (next week I will give you her response.)

         Moms we need to be a student of each of our children. We need to know what correction best suits the offense.  This means each child may receive a different correction or consequence for the choices they make.  There isn't a single response for every offense.  God wants to reveal how to parent each of our children.  We can call on Him and He will show us how to appropriately correct and encourage our children.

II Samuel 24: 14  “David said to Gad, “ I am in deep distress.  Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for His mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.”