Over the summer, my sweet Olivia and I read Pollyanna. I have always heard the saying, "She is such a Pollyanna" but never really knew what it meant. After reading this story, I learned what it meant and decided that it wasn't such a bad thing. Pollyanna was a little girl who didn't have much. Her mother died, her father was a missionary who also died, and she was left to go live with her spinster Aunt who wasn't a very nice lady. In spite of all of this, Pollyanna was happy and cheerful all of the time. She gained this sunny disposition by playing, "The Game." The game that her father taught her was simple...find something positive in every situation. They started playing the game when Pollyanna was very small. Missionaries received barrels of donations. This is how the got clothing, toys, household goods that had been donated to charity. They never knew what would be in the barrel. They simply got what they got. (Olivia's pre-school teacher taught her this little rhyme..."You get what you get and you don't pitch a fit.") Pollyanna hoped that in the next barrel would be a baby doll. Instead of the baby doll there were crutches. So the game began...the positive thing about receiving crutches instead of a baby doll is that at least you don't need the crutches. Pollyanna found that she could be "glad" that her leg wasn't broken.Now that you have the idea, Olivia and I began to play the game. Such a simple concept with such a profound effect. Pollyanna transformed an entire community by sharing The Game with everyone she met. What would happen in our own community, state, country or world if we began looking at things through the eyes of The Game?While reading the book, I was in Wal-Mart one day. In an anxious rush I reached over a lady so that I could get my item and be on my way. I didn't have time to wait on her. As I reached, I knocked another item off of the shelf onto the ladies head. I immediately apologized profusely. I was so embarrassed to have been in such a hurry. The lady came up with a smile and said, "Don't worry about it, at least it wasn't a 5lb bag of sugar." She then laughed. I thought instantly...She is playing The Game!In the Tillman House we are trying to play The Game as much as possible, especially in these hard economic times. Won't you join us? Imagine a world where we all looked for something to be GLAD about.Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
(OK...so here it is after about 9 months, I'm back. No promises just a day by day adventure. We'll see how it goes.)All good southern women know this term. We use it all of the time. "Mercy, it sure is hot!" "Mercy, child. Give me a minute." "Mercy, is there anything else I can do for you?" If I didn't know better I would think that Mercy was a person that resides in every Southern home. She must because her name is called so frequently. Now I'm not so sure that everyone uses this word in this context or even all that frequently, but I have found myself using it a lot. A particular day recently I used the word quite a few times. So many times in fact, it made me stop and think about the word itself. What it means and how or why it is used.Children know the game "Mercy." Remember when you were a child. You and a friend would interlock your fingers and try to bend each other's hands back until one of you yelled, "Mercy." At which time you would let go and the victor was the one who caused pain so great that the other had called out for mercy.According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary site, there are three definitions. The third somewhat goes along with the game of "Mercy." It is defined as compassionate treatment of those in distress. If you have ever been on the receiving end of have your fingers bent back and twisted around, I think that you would agree that having your "friend" or sibling let go would be considered compassionate treatment. Not so much compassion in the beginning of the game, but certainly by the end...therefore the name, "Mercy."The first definition is "compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power, also lenient or compassionate treatment." Remember this definition because it will be relevant to the story that follows. The second definition is " a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion...a fortunate circumstance. Synonyms for mercy are charity, clemency, grace, and leniency. I like all of those words, especially when I am on the receiving end. It is often times more difficult to be on the giving end of mercy...much like grace. Aren't we glad that God doesn't feel that way? David knew that God is a merciful God. In Psalm 57:1 he cries out, "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed."Mercy certainly comes from the Lord. Maybe when I begin my sentences with, "Mercy..." I'm crying out in an subconscious way for His mercy. Maybe mercy does refer to someone...the someone who can and does give it abundantly. Maybe calling out for "Mercy" is like calling out Abba, Papa, Lord.On with the story that provoked all of this pondering on the word "Mercy." Todd had a particularly stressful day at work ahead of him. I asked if I could pray for him. Of course he said, "yes." Who turns down prayer? I prayed for an upcoming audit he had and I prayed for God's grace and MERCY to be upon him in this situation. Thinking back to the definitions of mercy, I certainly would want compassion, an act of divine favor, or lenience from the creator of the Universe. He went to work and I went about my day.Later in the day, I was outside mowing grass at high noon. I know that high noon is not the time to mow grass in South Georgia in July, but you take the time when you can get it. While pushing with all of my might I stated loudly, "MERCY!" As the words cleared my lips, the coolest breeze blew across my face. Immediately, I said, "Thank you, Jesus!" There was no other explanation for a breeze so cool on such a hot Summer day than that of Mercy given by our Savior..."compassionate treatment for those is distress."The epilogue to Todd's story is that he too received, "Mercy." The audit was complete and things had not turned out in his favor. He questioned the auditor in disbelief. She stopped, took a moment to reevaluate and then discovered her error. With the stroke of a button, the numbers came in in his favor. So close to the cutoff that no other explanation can be accepted except for Mercy. The answer to the prayer that I had prayed earlier for my sweet husband.So after a day full of mercy, I am much more aware of asking for it and much more thankful when I receive it.
