Comments on: Is Mercy Ever Wasted?

By: ikechukwu patrick nwajei

ikechukwu patrick nwajei — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 15:08:52 +0000

thank you very much for the superb reflection and for the prayer.

By: Mary Ortwein

Mary Ortwein — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 15:02:17 +0000

My prayers will be with you, Marianne!

Mary

By: Bryan Lake

Bryan Lake — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 11:05:35 +0000

That was a wonderful reflection thanks!

By: Marianne

Marianne — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 10:49:31 +0000

Thank you, Mary. I believe the Lord directed me to your reflection this morning as I turn to Him in a time of need. I am a Libby to a husband who is asking for a separation and says he has lost his faith. I continue to love him deeply. I have been praying that he will hear the Lord’s call again and open his heart toward the love I feel we can still share. Today I will pray that the Lord will show his mercy through me so that I may seek the good in my husband, not comfort. This focus may help me cope with the incredible hurt, pain and loss as I guide myself and my young family through this difficult time.

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 09:09:35 +0000

Thank you Mary for sharing your reflection. I especially liked how you explained what our role is, praising God, & the closing prayer. You tied everything together so that all could understand.

By: Aloysius Ugwu

Aloysius Ugwu — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 06:32:23 +0000

Thanks Mary, this is amazing reflection.

By: Mary Ortwein

Mary Ortwein — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 00:29:37 +0000

Thanks, Anne,

The issue is whether the teeth behind confrontation–enforced ultimatum–would have led Matt to repentance through sobriety. If so, then, yes, that would have been in Matt’s best interest. Many alcoholics tell the stories of “hitting bottom” and then beginning recovery. But many others hit bottom and stay there until they die of some complication of the disease. Such was Matt’s case. What was the loving thing? It may have been confrontation with enforced ultimatum early in their marriage. Libby doesn’t know. I used the situation because it hits at seeing our mercy as coming from God’s mercy. Somehow, it seems that would help the future Libbys to better be able to gauge what the loving thing would be. You are correct. As a therapist I have seen many variations of this story. It takes great courage to make the choice to enforce an ultimatum in these circumstances.
Mary Ortwein

By: Anne

Anne — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 23:40:57 +0000

But maybe matt’s good would have been to be confronted and given an ultimatum. That takes incredible courage and selflessness. ..often it is so much easier to stay put and to live with what you have than to have the courage to face the truth and be willing to let him go.