In my readings, mercy, and redemption stand out in their importance to my life. I have not had an easy life. It has had its ups and downs. I have made a number of mistakes and instances of poor judgment. Then in other cases, life didn’t turn out as planned, things fell through the cracks. As hard as it has been for me, I have kept it ongoing. For reasons that I am not exactly sure of, people didn’t give up on me. When life hit rock bottom, people stood by me and helped me build a new life. It is my experience that mercy is neither quick nor easy. It takes a huge commitment and time. Furthermore, it can be painful. Sometimes healing is painful, but where there is redemption there is hope, and where there is hope there is new life. So as much as possible, I will live with mercy and redemption close to my heart.