Mercy

The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath.
It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
Portia
The Merchant of Venice
William Shakespeare

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Matthew 5:7

Whether it's Bill Shakespeare or Scripture - it's clear that mercy is something special.

It is truly a blessing to the person giving and the person on the receiving end.

If you have been in position to give someone something for which they couldn't repay you - that gift was an act of mercy.  I wager you felt better about the act of giving than you expected.

An well-known example is told about a leader:

A mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice, and justice demanded death. “But I don’t ask for justice,” the mother explained. “I plead for mercy.” “But your son does not deserve mercy,” Napoleon replied. “Sir,” the woman cried, “it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for.” “Well, then,” the emperor said, “I will have mercy.” And he spared the woman’s son. 
(Luis Palau, “Experiencing God’s Forgiveness", Multnomah Press, 1984)

 If we stop and think about it - it's a fairly high bar to jump.

We all want mercy, but frequently we want justice or however we might perceive fairness for somebody else.  That car that speeds past you on the interstate, when you see the car pulled over by a State Trooper a few miles later, are you hoping the driver is given some mercy?  I didn't think so; me neither.

If one of the kids breaks something (a vase, a rule, the car) is the first response anger and disappointment or is it mercy?

There is still time for justice and teaching lessons - but in those circumstances at home and work it would be good if we could remember the Savior's words and be merciful to others as we desire mercy for ourselves.

Go and be merciful!