Tag: christianity

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Storm Alert!

Psalms 119:33&34

34 Give me understanding [a teachable heart and the ability to learn], that I may keep Your law; And observe it with all my heart.
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.

Have you ever had to pray, “Lord, make me willing to be willing”?  I know for me there are some days that is all I have in me to give.  I am not in a place to even be willing to do the right thing.  No way! No how!  It is usually because I am so frustrated, angry or hurt at the moment that my inner rebellious little tantrum throwing child is screaming out in pure agony.

Just ask any of my children or my hubby and they will tell you I am very good at the hands on hips, foot tapping, laser eyes, and tightly drawn lips.  Shoot I even add the jaws clenched and teeth grinding some days.  It is in those moments I really need a heavenly attitude adjustment.

I know it.

Everyone around me knows it.

But I! Don’! Want! To! (Please insert stomping foot for full effect!)

I want to hand on to my anger and hurt.  I mean, it was obviously someone else’s fault that I am in this mess.  Somebody did something to me.  I would never choose to be acting like this; would I? Or would I?  Is that somebody really making me act this way?  Do they have so much control that they pull my strings and I perform?

Well, let me tell you, last time I checked Pinocchio and I could sing a duet.

I’ve got no strings
To hold me down
To make me fret, or make me frown
I had strings
But now I’m free
There are no strings on me

I am sorry to say, there is no one making you or I DO anything.

Now please pause with me here just one moment.  I am not saying we never have a reason to feel hurt or angry.  What I am saying is we can choose not to hit DEFCON 1 and let your Mt Vesuvius spew everywhere, while balancing on an earthquake during a hurricane. Oh come on, you know you have all been there.  I am not just being a drama queen here.

When those weather patterns start circling and I feel my temperature rising, I have to choose to step back.  Somedays I have packed all the right gear and can avoid the storm altogether. Other days it rushes up on you out of what seems like nowhere and I have to start with just being willing to be willing.

When I step up and say, God, I am willing to ask to be willing, I can almost hear see him slap and rub His hands together and say, “OK, Challenge accepted!”

I think that is why I love the amplified version of Psalms 119:34 & 35.  In those moments I am reaching out to God and saying my heart is pretty hard right now.  Please give me understanding, soften my heart teachable and make it teachable.  God, I am willing to put one foot in front of the other but please MAKE me walk in Your path.  I know in the end gray skies are gonna clear up and I will put on a happy face.

So the next time the weather alerts to possible storms ahead, grab your rain coat to show God you are at least willing to be willing and He will handle the rest.
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Somebody Call the Prayer Chain!

Galatians 6:2

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Was your mama on the prayer chain?  When I was little our church had the prayer chain.  It was a list of prayer warriors and phone numbers.  Anything happened to anyone in our church you called one person on the list and it was then passed down to the next person.

I still remember my mama saying things like, “I better start the prayer chain!” when she would hear about a problem.  It was often the first she asked when she got to a sick person’s side, “Did anyone start the prayer chain?”

It is a legacy that she has taught to me and I am ever so thankful for.

Luckily, with today’s technology, the prayer chain is a little easier and quicker.  As a matter of fact, almost a year ago I started a little prayer group my husband so lovingly dubbed the Yada Yada Sisters.  He named us after a series of books by Neta Jackson called the Yada Yada Prayer Group.  If you haven’t read the books I would highly recommend them.

As a matter of fact, feel free to swish me to the side and go check them out on Amazon right now.  Don’t forget me though.  Come back when you are done. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Oh, glad to see you back.

As I was saying, we started out with six ladies all from different walks of life but linked by our church.  I had a problem one night and reached out to them in a group text.  The next thing I knew, we were adding ladies and not only sharing prayer requests but praise reports, jokes and recommendations on where to get your car fixed.  Nothing is too small or too large of a concern for this group.

I would love to show you a picture one of the ladies sent us today to make us all laugh.  It has been a rough week for many of us and we just needed to relax.  She, however, would probably kill me if I shared, but let’s just say imagine your worse hair day and multiply it by 1 million…lol! Her water heater went out and so no shower this morning and she has REALLY long curly hair.

I don’t know what I would do without these ladies.  They are the true walking talking manifestation of Paul’s orders to the Galatians to Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV).

I pray you have people in your life you can depend on like my Yada Yada Sisters.  Please know even if you don’t, we are praying for each and every one of you.  I pray the Lord gives you strength and blesses you with his peace in every walk of your life.

Many blessings to you and yours,

The Yada Yada Sisters!
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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A Glimpse Through God’s Eyes

Psalms 18:29 (NIV)

With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.

Last week I took my granddaughter to an indoor play area at our local mall.  Actually, we originally went there to get some yummy Chinese for lunch.  However, when she saw all the children running, jumping, climbing and screaming she looked at me with those big sparkling eyes and starting pointing and pleading, “Play MawMaw, play?!”  OK, this MawMaw’s heart melted in about 2.2 seconds and said, “Of course we will play honey.”

Now Baby-bop is petite for her age, but she is one tough little chickadee.  She is only one and a half, but she struts around like she is fully grown.  That is probably because she is around adults most of the time being an only child.

The play area was completely surrounded by a huge couch for adults to sit and relax on while their little monsters ran to and fro.  This MawMaw was still kind of leery of letting her precious little monster just go and play.  I mean there was some bigger kiddos in there.  The toys were huge and slippery.  By the way, who makes a play area where we tell you socks only and then makes all the climbing thingies slick and slippery.  I mean really??

When we first entered, Baby-bop must have been a little apprehensive as well.  She clung to my hand pretty tight and held blanky ever so closely as she sucked her thumb.  She watched the kids very carefully, cocking her head when she couldn’t quite figure out where they disappeared.  Then smiled when they came down a slide or out the other end of a tunnel.

Soon, she dropped my hand and wondered a little closer. Then she started giggling and clapping her hands as she watched several boys playing tag.  Before I knew it, blanky was left on the ground and she was screaming off into the distance.

Occasionally, she would turn and make sure I was still there.  Sometimes she would scream, “Look MawMaw” and point to something or simply want me to watch her.  A few times she came and grabbed my hand and pulled me over to make kids move out of the way or help her climb up something.

As I sat on that couch listening to her shouts of glee and occasional frustration, I saw a glimpse of us through God’s eyes.

I mean this must be what it is like for him to watch us take those first few steps into a new journey.  At first, we are frightened but we step out.  Then as we familiarize ourselves we slowly try new things, meet new people and then in a blink of His eye, we are off to the races.

Like my granddaughter, I hope you never forget help is always there.  Sometimes we just want to yell, “Look at me God, I’m doing it!”  Other times, we are racing back because we are curious or frustrated and need him to show us the way.  Yes, there are even times we come back hurt and crying.  But just like MawMaw, God will pick you up, cuddle you, dust you off and then send you back on your way.

You see even though it is nice and warm and safe cuddled in God’s arms, God knows we have to get back up and go again.  Yes, we could get hurt again, but we also get to love, learn and be filled with joy again too.  With his help we can advance against the troops; with our God, we can scale the walls!
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Darkness to Light

Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.

I promise this devotion is filled with hope and light, but to get there you must travel through my darkness.  Many years ago I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder which brings with it much panic, anxiety, depression, and mania.  As a matter of fact, in more recent years I was told I was diagnosed incorrectly and it is more likely PTSD.

Which ever label you want to give it, there are moments where the darkness attempts to engulf me.  If you suffer from any of these, I urge to reach out to someone.  Do not let go!  It is not the end!  You are not alone!

We are many and God knows each one of us by name.  He has not forgotten or forsaken us.  He is there in the midst of every second of our fight.  He is battling in places we can’t even see and doing things we can’t even imagine.

When the darkness comes and threatens to extinguish all the light around me, I often turn to writing poetry to describe what I am feeling.  The feelings seem so real at the time; I draw pictures in my mind.  The following is an example of my darkness.

The End?

I am spiraling down the hole.
I grasp and grab but nothing is there.
Air slides through my fingers
All is dark, no light at all
When will this end?

I am afraid of hitting bottom
But anything is better than this
The deep depression of unknown
The anxiety, the panic
Will this never end?

What will I find at the bottom?
What is waiting for me there?
Will I die if I reach it?
Will there be an escape?
Do I want to see the end?

I feel so alone
I feel like an idiot
I am out of control
I should have control
Please let this end!

I see how you look at me
I see the anger and disappointment
You think I am making this up
Just looking for attention
This is not what I want in the end

My heart is heavy
My head hangs low
I want to give up
I want to stop trying
I want this to be the end

So, why do I fight?
Why do I care?
Wouldn’t it be just easier to say I am done
It is finished
Now leave me to the end

Yet, I cannot
I am not finished
There is so much more to do
I must continue
I must fight until the end

How do I know God is there?  I know because in that dark cavern when I am ready to just lay down and not get up again there is a small quiet voice.  It just repeats, “I AM here, now fight!”  It starts as the dimmest of light. I can barely see if flickering far off, but it grows each time I focus and listen. It grows louder, brighter, stronger. Its name is Hope and it is hand delivered by I AM.

Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.


Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Deeply Distressed and Troubled

Mark 14:12 (NIV)

“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you.  Take this cup from me.  Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Do you hear that?  Yep, it is my knees knocking AGAIN!  I have been in the education field for going on 18 years.  However, when I have to stand up in front of a group of people I still get the proverbial butterflies (seems more like bats) in my tummy.  My hands get all sweaty, my stomach turns, my heart races and then there is the shaking all over.

Have you ever been there?  Do you ever get a case of the nerves?  Maybe it isn’t public speaking that makes you want to run.  Maybe there is something else that can rock your world in a matter of 2.2 seconds.  Whatever it is, I want you to know…it is normal!  You are not going to die of a heart attack, you probably won’t even throw up or faint or anything. Hmmm, maybe I shouldn’t promise the last two, although I did say probably;0)

Can I tell you a little secret?  Did you know that Jesus got a case of the nerves? No, really!  It says right in Mark 14:33-34.

He (Jesus) took Peter, James, and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch (NIV).

If that doesn’t sound like a case of the nerves, I don’t know what does. Jesus knew his time was coming to an end.  He knew what he was going to face next.

Now, I realize what he was about to face: his betrayal, arrest, conviction, punishment, and death would certainly make anyone deeply distressed and troubled.  What I want you to realize is he didn’t stay that way.  He knew exactly where to turn.

“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” Mark 14:12 (NIV).

When Jesus was deeply distressed and troubled he turned to the one person that he knew would pull him through, his Father, God!

I want to challenge you today.  No matter what impossible nerve racking, knee knocking deeply distressed and troubled problem you are facing, turn to the one who will walk you through it.

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalms 55:22 (NIV)


Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Parts of the Whole

Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV)
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

When I look into the past I see many wonderful memories. I also see some not so wonderful memories. Things that I would rather forget. Like the time I was in the movie theater and my mom leaned over to ask me what time it was. I quickly glanced at my watch only to remember too late that was the hand I had my drink in. OK, now that I am giggling, maybe I do want to keep that one. But I guarantee there a lot more filled with pain, heartache, and tears that I would rather pull out of my head and throw in a bowl and lock away in a cupboard like Professor Dumbledore.

I also have a bunch of mixed memories. After 10 years of marriage, we called it quits. He had moved on to someone else and there was no fixing things. Now there are many moments right there I would rather forget, but what about all those pleasant memories I still carry of our marriage. I mean we did love each once. We also had three wonderful children together. I have many fond memories of birthdays, Christmases, vacations, and family fun nights, do I just throw them away too?

It becomes very tangled when you add to the story that I now have remarried and he brought with him two more children and a past life with another woman. We have made a bunch of new memories together. Do we just cut out our previous lives? Full confession moment, sometimes when I think of an old memory, I feel like I am cheating on my husband.

You may have not gotten a divorce, but you may have been a child of divorce. Or, you may have had other relationships like previous boyfriends or girlfriends, maybe even just an old friendship that ended. The point is we all have previous lives. No matter how embarrassing or hurtful these memories are, they are making you who you are right now.

These wonderful, beautiful pieces of history are teachable moments.

My father always taught me when you walk into a room full of people you will learn something from the smartest person and the dumbest. Well, I am telling you today do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. We can all learn from the most favorable and even the not so favorable.
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Discipline in a Long- Distance Race

Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)

1 Do you see what this means– all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running– and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.
2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed– that exhilarating finish in and with God– he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.
3 When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Wow! I now have two half marathons under my belt. I guess, I should explain something. On December 26, 2011 I weighed 256 lbs. I was getting ready to turn 39 yrs old and I found an old bucket list. I wanted to run a marathon before I turned 40 years old. So, I started walking for 30 minutes and gradually learned to run for 30 minutes straight. My daughter found a marathon scheduled for October 7, 2012. We signed up! It is now August 11, 2012, I weigh 223 lbs and have ran a lot!

In the past few weeks I have ran two half marathons. OK, to be honest I have walked most of it, especially the last one. I injured my hip and my doctor will no let me run right now, so I walked 13.1 miles. It took me 3 hours and 45 minutes, but I did it. My daughter and I have this saying, “We run to complete, not compete.” So, when I read these verses they really stuck out to me.

Many people have gone on before me. They made it, I can too. This goes with my running and my life. There are so many times I just get frustrated and I want to quit. I don’t. I keep moving. I think of all my heroes. I think of how far I have come. In life, I think of all the things Jesus went through. All the stuff he had to put up with. He made it through. He never gave up. He asked God to put a stop to it, but he would continue on if it was God’s will. I can do that too. Why can I do it? Because Jesus has been there done that. More importantly, he is still going through it with me! If I suck it up and listen up, he will even tell me which steps to take. If I follow those steps, it may not be easy, but it will be easier!

I pass along a lot of advice I have learned on my exercise journey. I have found a lot of things that work and a lot more that don’t. Any time I can help someone else avoid a pitfall, I do. Jesus is here for us also. He doesn’t want us to fall. It isn’t enough for us to run the race we have to finish. Which brings me to another favorite saying, “Finishing dead last is better than not finishing at all, which always trumps never beginning!”

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Is God out of business?

~Ps 77:9-10 (MSG)

9 Has God forgotten his manners? Has he angrily stalked off and left us?
10 “Just my luck,” I said. “The High God goes out of business just the moment I need him.”

Have you ever felt this way before? Have you ever felt so low down that you just know God can’t even reach you. You are so sure He has washed his hands and walked off. Put up the sign, “Gone Fishing.” God has left the building! Yeah me too! I’ve been there, done that and bought the t-shirt.

I have felt the pure loneliness and complete darkness of a totally drained spirit. The total quietness. All you can hear is your screams for help. Maybe it was a loss of a loved one, another fight with a spouse or a child or maybe a stab in the back from a close friend or a bad choice that left you in this desert. You may not even know what brought you here. Heck, you don’t even remember getting on the bus.

Never fear, it doesn’t matter what brought you. I know the man who will pay for your ticket back. As a matter of fact, it is already bought and paid for, you just have to get on. OK, OK, I know easier said than done when you feel totally alone. But the Psalms doesn’t end at this verse. God gives you the way out:

11 Once again I’ll go over what GOD has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders;
12 I’ll ponder all the things you’ve accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts.
~Ps 77:11-12 (MSG)

There is an old song that says count your blessings, name them one by one. That is exactly what you need to start doing right now. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

It is really hard to stay in a funk, when you remember better days. You all of a sudden find yourself smiling, then giggling. You take a deep breath when you remember where you were and realize where you are standing now. You see how far you have come. You notice all of the things God has done for you so far. You remember He isn’t done with you yet, so he will get you through this one too.

Before you know it you are claiming ~Psalms 77:13-14 (MSG)
13 O God! Your way is holy! No god is great like God!
14 You’re the God who makes things happen; you showed everyone what you can do–

Lord,
I know I can trust in you. Help me to never forget your works and keep your commands (Ps 78:7). I know your way is holy and no god is greater than you (Ps 77:13). Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name (Ps 63:3-4). 6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and give heed to the voice of my supplications! In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You, for You will answer me. There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours. All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and they shall glorify Your name. For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God. Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Your name forever (Ps 86:6-12).

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Punishment, Discipline or Consequence

Psalms 103:10 (MSG) He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.

punishment

  • a penalty inflicted for an offense, fault, etc.; severe handling or treatment.

discipline

  • to bring to a state of order and obedience by training and control.

consequence

  • an act or instance of following something as an effect, result, or outcome.

(http://dictionary.reference.com)

What is the difference between a punishment, discipline and consequence? They can all hurt. We probably deserve them. Unless of course we are experiencing a punishment or consequence that was brought on by someone else. Not that that ever happens huh? Well there is a difference between them.

Punishments are dealt out by someone. They are almost a revenge of sorts. You did this so now I get to do this to you. Now stop furling up your brow at me. I know what you are thinking. I punish my kids when they do something wrong. Shouldn’t we punish the murderer for his crime. I didn’t mean revenge like an evil thing. I meant it like a make things even. Kind of like a pay back. Your son or daughter break the neighbors window with a ball, he or she must pay for the window. We try to even things up. If your son or daughter learns from this punishment, you have actually disciplined them.

Wow, that just brought me to another word, discipline. Punishment is meant to bring things even for the moment. Discipline is meant to learn or gain something from it. OK, the only thing
swirling in my head right now are diet and exercise. To many these are punishments…hahaha. Are they really though? Do we gain something from them? Good health, muscles, flexibility and energy. Yep we gain therefore you can no longer say they are a punishment. It is discipline!

Consequences are natural outcomes. They just happen based on what has already taken place. Kind of like a chain reaction. People often refer to it as action/reaction. You put your hand on a hot stove you get burnt. Can you or anyone else control just the outcome? No, you can only control the outcome by controlling what you did in the first place. If that is the case then what you are experiencing is not punishment, or discipline. It is a consequence.

There is someone who controls punishments, disciplines and consequences. As a matter of fact He keeps us from them a lot of the time when we don’t deserve it. He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve (consequences), nor pay us back in full for our wrongs (punishments). As a matter of fact He loved us so much He sent His one and only Son to die for our punishments and consequences (John 3:16). We don’t have to go to Hell now. He knows we aren’t perfect and He doesn’t expect us to be. He gives us unconditional grace and love when we slip up.

Does this mean there is no discipline involved? Will we never see consequences and punishment in our lives? Absolutely not! God is and does discipline. He leads us down the path of righteousness (Ps. 23:3). That takes discipline. It takes trying and trying again until we get it right. What we don’t experience is the punishment of God not loving us anymore and turning away from us. We don’t experience the consequence of “you sinned; your going to Hell right now.” We are no longer separated from God because of our sin.

We are loved. We are dusted off our boo-boos kissed and sent on our way again. We are given advice and told how to avoid getting into the same situation. We are not just walked through it, but loved throughout it. Are there punishments that come with it, maybe. Will you face consequences for your actions, probably. But you will not get what you truly deserve. You will not be separated from God. He is still there waiting for you to put your hands out and cry help me father, so He can run to you and pick you up, cuddle you and love you. He can tell you everything is going to be alright little one. We will get through this together.

Father forgive me for my faults. Discipline me by guiding me through the paths of righteousness. I am going to walk through the valley of death, but help me not to be afraid by walking by my side. Guide me so that I can feel secure. Chase after me with love every day of my life, so I can come home to you. (Ps. 23:3-6). Thank you for not treating me as my sins deserve, nor paying me back in full for my wrongs (Ps. 103:10). Thank you for sending Jesus to die for me. To take away my sins, so that I can live with you forever (John 3:16).

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Seeds of Joy

Psalms 97:11-12 (MSG)
11 Light- seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people, Joy- seeds are planted in good heart- soil.
12 So, God’s people, shout praise to GOD, Give thanks to our Holy God!

Joy-seeds…hmmm…not so sure mine had sprouted this morning. I get up at 4:30 am every morning to take my son to work. Every morning it is the same thing. He gets up at 4:00 we have to be out the door by 4:45. Needless to say, I am still in my PJs when we leave. I always feel like I am rushing him out the door.

Instead of taking those precious quiet moments in the morning with my son, I find myself chastising him for some over looked item. I become impatient and sometimes a downright meanie. That is no way to start his day and certainly not a way I want to start mine.

This morning was right on schedule for our usual routine. I was ready to clobber him by the time we got out the door. When we got to his drop off did I offer words of encouragement? Did I say have a blessed day, God be with you? Did I pray with him? Nope, Nope and Nope. I am ashamed to say I didn’t even mutter I love you. Instead I rushed him out the door before having an argument over something he left at home that he swore I didn’t hand him.

ARGH! Now I know 4:30 in the morning doesn’t exactly scream bright eyed and bushy tailed. I am generally a morning person, but not until closer to 7:00 and 8:00 is even better. However, today’s verse does not say Light seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people at 8:00 in the morning. Joy seeds are planted at 8:30 and both die off as the day goes by.

Nor, does it say God plants, cultivates, waters and harvests light and joy. No, we have a part in this holy farm. We have to shout praise to God and give thanks to our Holy God! In other words we have to water, cultivate and harvest. Joy is always there ready for us to take on. If we do the foot work, God is faithful to bear the fruit in us. Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self- control; against such things there is no law.

So, tomorrow is another day right. 4:30 am will come again. That is true, but you know what, 2:30 this afternoon will come first. I think 2:30 will bring with it an apology to my son when I pick him up today. It will bring a how was your day? It will bear burdens and share rejoicing. As a matter of fact the first thing out of my mouth today will be, “I’m sorry for this morning. I love you and will do better by you tomorrow.” Hopefully, I will help God plant a few of those Joy-seeds!

Lord today I want to belong to you. I want to be crucified by the flesh with its passions and desires. Help me to not only live by the Spirit but also walk by the Spirit. (Gal 5:24-25) I know that whatever a man sows, so shall he reap. (Gal 6:7) Today, I want to sow love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Help me to not lose heart in doing good. Give me the opportunity to do good to all people. (Gal 6:9-10) Let me walk by your rules and may peace and mercy be upon me. (Gal 6:16)