11, 12, 13...

I couldn't resist sharing this today - see how well the title lines up with the date which for some is

11-12-13.

Let's start with a question to all of us parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, guardians...:

"How many times do you threaten to count to "10" for a child to behave appropriately and find yourself going beyond number 10?"

Well, I can't count how many times I've done that wondered if it's just me.

As usual, as I was pondering on it, the Holy Spirit reminded me that I'm really just like my Father. Oh yes I am - I'm not lax, just loving and full of mercy as He is.

The Bible is filled with verses that tell us that too. Let's start with the most commonly used verse

The Lord isn’t slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act.*

Don’t you realize how patient he is being with you? Or don’t you care? Can’t you see that he has been waiting all this time without punishing you, to give you time to turn from your sin? His kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.**

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and merciful God. You are patient, always faithful and ready to forgive. (Psalm 86:15 - God's Word Translation)

The most interesting thing I found out when writing this is that in the first place, we're introduced to God's loving-kindness and mercy it comes with a warning: Numbers 16:18
‘The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.’ (New Living Translation)

The thing to note here is that there will always be a time and day of reckoning - when mercy runs out. You may be one of those that God has gone past number 10 for... please note that you will not have forever to decide to become His. The sooner you return back to Him, the sooner you'll start enjoy the fullness of life He has to offer. Please make that decision soon:

But now is the time. Never forget the warning, “Today if you hear God’s voice speaking to you, do not harden your hearts against him, as the people of Israel did when they rebelled against him in the desert.” (Hebrews 3:15 - Living Bible)

This is one life-changing decision you'll never regret.

References:
*2 Peter 3:9 - God's Word Translation
** Romans 2:4 - Living Bible