The Prodigal's Returnናሙና

There Go I

Taylor Harmon

But for the Grace of God, there go I.

Once we have had an awakening and found spiritual peace, we often see others who are struggling with compassion and mercy. The humility we find in a true relationship with God, makes us realize the extent of God’s mercy in our lives. We are able to look at others with compassion, grace, forgiveness, and love. Seeing others’ struggles humbles us and reminds us that if not for God’s grace in our own lives, we too would still be in that struggle!

Often, I see people homeless, financially struggling, emotionally broken, and/or physically sick in withdrawals. Instantly, my reaction is compassion and mercy. I realize that I too was just like them. Most often, I instantly go into prayer for God’s intervention in their life. After I show them kindness and offer prayer for them, almost every time, I go into a prayer full of gratitude that God intervened in my life in such a way that I no longer have to struggle with those demons. I thank God that He offers me such grace and mercy. I thank God that He offered endless blessings when I awoke and began to follow His will for my life. I thank God that He turned my life around and blessed me with all the things I was sure I had lost!

We will always see others struggling. Life on earth will never be perfect without struggle, but how much easier are the problems to handle with God guiding us? What will we do when we witness others going through a hard time? Will we have compassion? Will we be able to forgive? Will we be thankful for what God has done in our own lives so we don’t suffer those same struggles any longer?

God, thank you for showing me your mercy and grace. Thank you for leading and guiding me to follow your will. Thank you for pulling me out of the pits of hell. Thank you for the humility to understand that You are the reason for my blessings. Help me to show others the same love of Christ so that I can forgive and show compassion to those still struggling. Amen.