Several years ago, a sad-eyed, mixed-breed dog named Sunny was in a Houston pound only hours away from being put to sleep. A man in New York named William Berloni somehow saw her picture and rescued her from afar. Berloni is an animal trainer, and within months Sunny was a Broadway star in the stage production of Annie.

Does Sunny remind you of anyone? When we were destined for destruction, the Lord somehow saw us and rescued us from afar, and He has given us starring roles in His Kingdom.

Grace and mercy are two sides of the same coin. When we experience mercy, we’re kept from receiving what we deserve—punishment for our sins. When we experience grace, we’re freely given what we don’t deserve—abundant blessings and eternal life.

We often think we want justice, but what we really want is mercy and grace. Those are the gifts of God that truly do make us—sunny!

Jesus, full of grace and mercy, listen to our humble cry; from Thy throne above in glory, turn on us Thy gracious eye.
Christian H. Bateman