Shirley Goodness & Mercy

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23:6

Two of my favorite companions who have chosen to join me on my life’s journey are Shirley Goodness and Mercy. 

Ms. Shirley Goodness is considered to be an adopted family member.  Around these parts she’s been referred to as Shirley G, Ms. Goodness, or just plain olé Goodness. Goodness became the chosen preference for me. Seems like it fits best. 

Some of my fondest memories included Goodness joining the family when we visited my grandparents. We would typically spend Sunday afternoons seeing both sides of the family.

I remember us all coming together in rocking chairs that were lined up on a long front porch at Grandma & Grandpa Hope’s house. Drinking ice tea that’s been soaking in lemons was a favorite past time on that porch. Music resonated in the home with singing and several musical instruments being played. Those gifts continue to be passed down from generation to generation.

Grandma called me “Livermush Boy” because she would fry up what I learned was good to eat. My grandkids have picked up the same eating habit for that particular item. Grandpa was a jack of all trades. He was a photographer in the county, known for making wedding pictures, and having his own dark room. He was talented in making jewelry and furniture out of rocks. He loved nature and always had plenty of books that taught me a lot. I learned about birds, rocks, and insects to name a few. Goodness would find me collecting eggs from the hen house or eating muscadines from the large vines in their yard during the summer.

While at Grandma & Grandpa Simmons house down the street only a couple miles away, we would fill up the living room with family again. I always had an option of choosing which conversation I ‘d like to listen to, as there were always several going on at the same time.

I loved eating Grandma’s fried cube steak. Home-made hand churned ice cream was a must when offered. Grandpa was good at gardening. Plenty of food from the ground to the table passed through that home. Cane pole fishing in the little pond across the street was special. Not many fish were ever caught but Goodness agreed with me, it was just the act of doing it that brought the joy. We got excited when the annual County Fair came to town, since it was only a short walk through a field in their backyard.

While spending time together, I remember Goodness teaching me important lessons on how to do the right thing.  She was more than willing to stick around with my grandparents long after others had left.

My Mama and Daddy kept foster care children when I was a young boy. It wasn’t uncommon for my older sister and I to have 4 to 6 playmates growing up with us. My younger brother came later. There were times I was jealous of the other kids in our home when I saw Mama giving them what I thought was too much attention. It took me a long time to realize that she had enough love for us all. I think God was tugging on my heart regarding how I mistreated them, which lead me to accepted Jesus in my heart at the age of 9.

 My Daddy was a hard worker and spent most of his week earning a living to take care of us. Any spare time he had was always spent with family. I never knew a man who could show so much love like my Daddy did. I still haven’t seen one today. You’ve heard the phrase…”For Goodness Sake!”  I tend to thank Goodness for my sake. My parents are special.

“For Goodness Sake!” I tend to thank Goodness for my sake.

Though Mercy has been around as long as Goodness, I did not meet her until I was older.  I felt I didn’t know her as well, but she refuses still to this day to be called anything other than her first name. The title seems rather unusual, but I have a niece with the pretty name of Grace so I get it.  

Mercy likes to travel with me places, though I’m not always incline to ask her to go with me. I’m not sure why I don’t invite her more often because when I have introduced and shown Mercy to others, rarely have I seen anyone who doesn’t like her as much as I.

Over the years, Mercy has taught me how to forgive and how to be forgiven. My thoughts have traveled to times when I’ve questioned things I’ve said and done while growing up and raising my family. She tells me to be compassionate and to think about how I’d like to be treated if I were in other peoples shoes. Looking back, I think that advice has stuck with me more than I realize. There have been many other occasions where I have failed and responded poorly, but Mercy is quick to overlook my mess ups. 

Teaching me how to forgive has been one of the toughest yet greatest rewards I’ve gained from knowing her. Some forgiveness has been delayed, appearing to be captured in a hard shell that’s not easy to crack.  Even when Goodness chimes in and tells me it’s the right thing to do, some attempts totally go against my flesh.  Thank Goodness for Mercy, for she keeps reminding me that we all make mistakes. One of the most powerful instructions Mercy has ever shared with me is that I’m not struggling with the person themselves when seeking to forgive, but a negative power that’s inside of them.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

It feels so right once the shell has been broken and my shells continue to be smashed. There’s a phrase some people say…”Have Mercy!” that I guess doesn’t include me.  It seems that I’ve always had her.  I just have to put forth a bit more effort in applying her to my life. I consider myself fortunate because I’ve come to realize that she’s not planning on going anywhere.

There’s a phrase some people say…”Have Mercy!” that I guess doesn’t include me. It seems that I’ve always had her.

Those early days have long been gone now. My Daddy and Grandparents lived a life where Shirley Goodness and Mercy followed them all their days. They now dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

My two companions seem to never age, as they have continued to pour into my wonderful wife and I. We’ll be celebrating 38 yrs. of marriage this coming December. The memories of Annette and I meeting, falling in love, and raising two kids have the humble faces of Goodness and Mercy surrounding each one. And now, with each passing day, seeing our grandkids living a life that has welcomed them in as well, makes a soul feel complete. Feeling complete, but not yet fully there, as we continue to explore the unknowns of our life’s future. There are more memories to be made. More moments for Goodness and Mercy to join another generation. More to come. Always more.

Lingering Thoughts:

God’s goodness and mercy are available to all who confess Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭

Photos taken from my family album.