The Mercy Story: Tommy and the Rope Swing!

Today was the big day. Tommy Barton was seven years old, and that meant he was finally old enough to ride the rope swing over the lake and fly into the pond below. Grandfather had said that it was too dangerous for anyone under seven. Tommy thought the rule was silly. He knew he could do it, but Grandfather said he loved him too much to risk the danger. Well, today he was seven, and as he stood at the water's edge holding the rope and planning his jump, Tommy felt a surge of pride. The jump was better than he had imagined. Soaring through the air, he let go at the perfect moment. He was sure he looked like a super hero flying through the air. Curling into a cannon ball, Tommy hit the water with a huge splash. "I'd like to see Will make a splash that big!" he thought as he swam toward the surface. "Being seven is great!"

The entire day had been perfect. "There's only one thing that would make it better," Tommy thought later as he got ready for bed. He glanced at the new book his mom had given him. "It would be so great to take the lantern and read my new book in the hay loft!" He remembered Grandfather's warning about the lantern in the barn. "You're too young, Tommy. Just a small flame can start a fire that would burn down the entire barn. No, son, you need to wait until you're much older."

Tommy looked at his book and imagined the fun of reading by lantern light just like the pioneers. "I'm not too young anymore," he told himself. "I'm seven!" He ignored the guilt that nagged at him. He took up the book and the lantern and headed to the barn.

Reading in the hay loft by lantern light was great! The sounds of the night and the soft glow of the lantern made the adventure book come to life. Suddenly a gust of wind burst through the barn window and blew the lantern over. Hay caught fire before Tommy could set the lantern upright and soon the flames were spreading across the loft. He slid down the ladder and ran for the house.

The family fought to save the barn throughout the night. The next morning, soot stained and exhausted, Tommy stood with his grandfather looking at the remains of the barn. "I'm so sorry Grandpa," he said tearfully. "You told me not to read with the lantern... I thought I was old enough. Now look what happened. It's all my fault."

Full of love and understanding, Grandfather looked at his grandson. "It is your fault Tommy, but God has been merciful. You disobeyed a rule set up for your protection, but it could have been worse. You could have been killed in that fire. We lost some of the barn, but not all of it. All of the animals are safe. We can rebuild. I thank God that He protected you and showed mercy!" Then his grandfather straightened up and pulled Tommy toward the house, "Come on son, we need a good breakfast and a shower, then we have some rebuilding to do!"