Tender Mercies of the Lord: Mercy Come to Life
By Susan Law Corpany

I have previously written a column called “Sometimes the Seagulls Don’t Come”. Today I would like to weigh in on the other side.

Now that I have passed the half-century mark, I realize that life is an endless succession of faith-testing and faith-building experiences, somewhat randomly distributed, while at the same time under heaven’s watch.

Recently I was working at our vacation home on the Kona side of the island on which we live. Renters were arriving the following day, and in order to be able to afford to accompany my husband on a trip, I had told my crew of four cleaning ladies that I was going to do the cleaning on my own for a series of rentals. Four ladies usually clean for four hours or I clean alone for two days. It was the second day of cleaning, and I was worn out, with much left still to do.

Taking a break from the inside cleaning, I went out to work in the yard while the floors dried. Picking up the fallen coconuts, I found myself wishing I had my crew of ladies to help me finish getting the house ready. It startled me when, as if in answer to my thoughts, I heard a woman ask, “Do you need any help?” I looked up and saw a smiling lady of Polynesian heritage coming across the lawn towards me. “Do you need some help picking up your coconuts?”

I hesitated for a moment while her question sunk in. “You know what? I do. Today I would not turn down any offer of help. Thank you! Sorry it took me so long to answer you. It surprised me when you appeared, because I was just thinking about how nice it would be to have some help —and there you were.”

“My husband is working construction on the house next door, and I came to work with him today,” she explained, “but I’m bored, and so I thought I would come help you. My name is Merciana, but you can call me ‘Mercy.’”

After we had the coconuts picked up, I asked her if she would be interested in making a little money, and I hired her to help me finish the cleaning inside the house. She was a hard worker, funny, and as always, making beds is easier with someone on the other side. We worked for several hours, and I gave her some money, telling her what a blessing she had been in my life that day.

“Do you believe in God, Mercy? I think He sent you to me today.”

“Yes, I do. You know, on the drive down here this morning, my husband looked at the gas gauge on the truck and told me we were almost out of gas. We figured we had enough to get back up to the highway. Neither of us had any money, and he doesn’t get paid until Friday. I said to him, ‘Maybe God will help me find a way to make a little money today.’”

“Wow! Looks like God killed two birds with one stone.”

“Pretty smart guy. I guess that’s why He’s God.”

Twice in One Day

Because of her help, I finished the cleaning inside sooner than expected, so I went outside to work in the yard. After a couple of hours, I had amassed a huge mound of palm fronds, dead branches and weeds. I looked at the sun to gauge how much time I had to load everything up and head to the dump before it closed. As I squinted into the sun, I also took note, a little late, that I had the Jeep and not the truck. I had no way of hauling away this large pile of debris. If renters had not been coming the next day, I would have left it all until my husband came over with the truck, but that was not an option. Standing near the street, I pondered this new dilemma for all of about two minutes, with no inspiration coming my way. I had used my found time to paint myself into a corner.

As I stood there questioning my intelligence, a vehicle pulled over to the side of the road. I saw the window start to go down. Probably someone needing directions. Then I spotted the white shirts and black name tags. “Hey, Sister C., is there anything we can help you with today?”

And they were driving a truck!

I questioned them. “How did you know I needed help? How did you come to be driving down here today right now when I needed you?”

“We thought we’d go visit some people, but they weren’t home.”

“Well, however it happened, God sent you to me.”

He’s a pretty smart guy, you know.

He knows each of us.

He knows our struggles.

He knows our needs.

And yes, sometimes He does send the seagulls.