My husband and I take our dog for a walk to a coffee shop every morning. There is one route that has little shade from the hot sun and lies along a very busy, very loud road. Another route exists that has ample shade. It cuts through a quiet neighborhood with green grass, flowers, chirping birds, and frolicking bunnies. Really.

For a long time, this second route was unavailable to us because of a locked gate.

One day, a friend of mine who lived in that community offered me a key to that locked gate. I gratefully accepted, and our new route to the coffee shop has been a delightful joy ever since.

That is, until I lost the key.

I was devastated and embarrassed. How could I be so careless? I retraced my steps and looked everywhere I could think of. No key.

I had to face the facts and admit to my husband that I lost the key along with our access to the peaceful path.

To my relief, while he was as disappointed as I was, he didn’t make me feel bad about it. He didn’t call out my carelessness. He didn’t ask why I hadn’t made a copy. He didn’t grumble as we walked the loud, dusty path the next day.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” ‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭7,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

A few days later, my husband spilled an entire glass of water all over my desk. All my papers, some notebooks, a card I had been writing, the checkbook, my keyboard, and mouse were all soaked. I started to whine, but remembered how kind he had been when I had done my bone-headed thing by losing the key. I just cleaned up the mess, smiled, and said, “Accidents happen.”

It feels really good to be forgiven so easily and graciously, without groveling. I know the mistakes I’ve made. And I typically feel bad enough without extra guilt being piled on.

God doesn’t pile on. When I come to Him with my problems, mistakes, and poor choices, He is quick to forgive. Even with serious issues. He is merciful when I don’t deserve it. The least I can do is turn around and do the same for the other mistake-makers in my life.

Dear God, thank you so much for your forgiveness. I have done nothing to deserve your grace and mercy. I am so grateful. Please teach me to check my outrage and indignation when others do me wrong. Remind me of your love and fill me with your grace and mercy instead.