Judgement and Mercy

My home for 3 months in my last area. I lived on the fourth floor.

As a missionary in the Peru Lima South Mission, in most areas, our laundry was given to members to be wash on a semi weekly basis. We paid them, of course. In my last area in Lima, there is a member in San Juan de Miraflores that has a laundry business, his is known by Hermano Campos. This wonderful member would drive to our house every Monday morning to pick up our dirty clothes. 

Usually Hno campos would arrive during exercise time, so we'd just go on down and give him our clothes. Every now and then, one of us would be in the shower when he arrived. Thus, making it impossible for us to hand deliver our clothes to Hno Campos. On these rare occasions, the companion not in the shower would launch the dirty clothes bags out the fourth-story window, with enough force to avoid the pointy gate and cars below.

One morning, when it was my turn to chuck clothes outside, there were many more cars parked than usual. Throwing out the second bag of clothes, my aim was a little off. I hit a car… and this happened:

Take note of the missing side mirror thingy

Yes, readers, I broke a car on my mission (I know, I know a broken mirror doesn't constitute as a broken car, but its more fun to say). And I had to explain this lovely story to the car's owner. I didn't actually break the news to him, his wife did (he was in the shower at the time, how funny now that I think of it), but from our room I could hear how upset he was when she delivered the news. I felt awful. And the worst was that we ate lunch with him and his wife almost everyday. Talk about awkward. Even after things settled down he couldn't look at me, nor I he. 

I knew I had done a great wrong, so looking to make up, I offered to pay for the damages (clearly not knowing what something like this would cost). However, he had such mercy. 

"I remember on my mission," he began, "when I had a companion who did something stupid. [Insert interesting story of his mission that I can't recall, nor do I have permission to write about, that ends with he and his companion being kicked out of their apartment, or something like that.]" He continued, "one day my son will be a missionary, and without meaning to, he will do something dumb. My only desire is that when this happens he will be shown mercy. So don't worry about paying for the damage."

Mouth agape, I muttered "are you sure??"

He was. 

And I couldn't be more grateful. 

That day I think I got a little taste of the Lord's infinite mercy. As humans, we mess up everyday. Some mistakes are bigger than others, but we all mess up. Every single day. But as we humble ourselves before God, if we acknowledge our wrong, and if we are willing to do anything to rectify our mistakes, He will show us mercy. 

Before we cast judgement, for one second lets us put ourselves in the other person's shoes. Let us ponder how we would like to be treated if we were in their position. Then, let us show mercy. In the Bible in the book of Matthew chapter 6 verses 14-15 it reads " For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."I feel that this scripture can aptly be applied to the principle of mercy. If we are merciful with those around us Heavenly Father will be merciful with us. 

I know that we have a loving and very merciful Heavenly Father. He knows us by name and if we humbly accept His will, we will be blessed beyond measure. Remember that next time you mess up. 

Con amor,

Carolina

Ps. a while after everything cooled down about the car we were able to joke about it. I shall forever be the sister that broke their car.