New Yorkers are kind, but ain’t tryin’ to be nice
Californians seem nice, if not kind
“You betcha” that Northerners- Ope!- will delight
Down South you’re called “Sweetheart”, you’ll find
No matter from where fellow trav’lers have rolled
If you they… the wrong way… do rub
By icy eyes, frigid words or shoulder cold
Go “Melt ’em with Mercy!” and love
When road hogs screech by flashing digits distressing
Or scream at you, leaving you shaken
They’re hijacked by evil, so “Blast ’em With Blessings!”
Watch Daytona grace overtake ’em
At leaders enslaved to their power or purse
You’re outraged! Our nation’s betrayers!
Then “Free ’em with Fasting!” God’s mercy rehearse
To humble both pray-ee and pray-er
When tempted to bark something rude or plain wild
At teens dressed risqué or unkemptly
Soon “Mold ‘em, Don’t Scold ‘em!” with eyes kind and mild
To quell their rebellions pre-emptly
If dreaming up zingers for Internet critics
Whose gibes are unbearably biting
“Requite with Politeness!” and shock by words civic
Wits kept will subvert fretful fighting
St. Paul wrote, by kindness, “heap coals on your foes”*
In other words, “Melt ’em With Mercy!”
The cheek that you turn proves a mirror that shows ‘em
They’ve hogtied themselves! (a la Circe**)
“Give enemies love, all who curse and despise you…”
Absurd? Without grace, yes, for sure!
“Pray dearly for folks who abuse or crosswise you”***
Just who would dare say this? Outrageous!
The truth may confuse or surprise you…
The One Who was hated and cursed and up-hung…
…Now tomb-sprung, the soon-to-come Lord!
So “Blast ’em With Blessings!”
“Free ’em with Fasting!”
“Mold ‘em, Don’t Scold ‘em!”
“Requite with Politeness!”
In searching
For something
To sum up
Such slogans
The Gem I’ll remember…
Is “Mercy!”
*****
NB: “God’s greatest attribute is mercy” (This phrase my college professor encouraged us to write at the top of any test we struggled with!)
*”…if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” (Romans 12:20 ESV)
**Circe was a goddess who turned men into hogs and other animals in Greek mythology such as in Homer’s Odyssey, where she turned Odysseus’ men to swine on her island of Aeaea
***”But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your cloak do not withhold your coat as well.” (Luke 6:27-29 RSVCE)Beloved: If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. He commited no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Beloved: If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. He commited no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. (1 Peter 2:20b-25)
Rhymes for the Rejoiceful 