7 Dec, 2009
Mercy
Ex-Robber repays store owner who showed him mercy
A Long Island deli owner who held a robber at gunpoint, then let him go after giving him $40 and a loaf of bread, says he got an anonymous letter from the crook that included a $50 bill and a thank-you for saving him from a life of crime.
The mysterious writer apologized to his would-be victim, Mohammad Sohail, saying, "First of all I would like to say I am sorry at the time I had [no] money no food on the table no job and nothing for my family."
Similar to comments he made on his knees during the incident last May, he said he realized that trying to rob the store with a baseball bat "was wrong but I had [no] choice. I needed to feed my family."
"Now I have a new child and good job make good money staying out of trouble and taking care of my family. You gave me forty dollars thank you for sparing my life Because of that you change my life."
"That's the same guy I gave $40 to," said Sohail, 62, displaying the typewritten letter at his Shirley Express deli yesterday. There was no return address. It was mailed on Long Island the week before Thanksgiving.
"I'm really thrilled," said Sohail. "I'm very happy for that guy, because he is now doing good for the community. He has a job and he is a good person. I really feel great. Thank God he's doing good. He's got a new baby and he's not in jail. When you do good things for somebody, it comes back to you. I gave him $40 and he sent me back $50. It was a good investment," Sohail laughed.
During the robbery attempt, the failed thief brandished a baseball bat and demanded cash. But Sohail pulled out a 9mm rifle and disarmed the man — who pleaded for his life on his knees before the deli counter, crying, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" and tearfully claiming his family had fallen on hard times.
Micah 6:8
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God."
What does God's Story teach us about mercy?
Think about the story above and then think about the words justice, mercy, and humility as stated in the verse in Micah. How did the store owner show justice, mercy and humility?
Connecting today's story and God's Story with my story
This story is a great illustration of justice, mercy and humility. The shop owner, threatened by an armed robber had the right to protect himself and his property. Using a rifle to stop the robber would be considered justice in our world. In other words, he was just (or legally right) in dispensing force to stop the robber.
Yet, as he learns the robber's story, the shop owner is compelled not by justice and his rights, but by mercy. The robber is trying to feed his family, he has been driven to crime in desperation. His desperation doesn't make it right to commit a holdup, but when the shop owner understands the situation, he is moved not to give out justice but to show the man mercy. The criminal deserves to be stopped and arrested yet the man chooses not to give what he deserves, but what he doesn't deserve mercy. He not only lets the guy go, but he also gives him money and food for his family.
We don't know what compelled this shop owner to act with kindness towards this man, but we do know that God calls us to act not only with justice but also with kindness and mercy. What makes this story even cooler is that the mercy shown to this stranger changed his whole life. He left his desperate criminal behavior and worked hard to turn his life around and provide for his family. Even his heart was changed as he repaid the store owner with interest.
- What would your response have been if you were the shop owner being held up?
- Can you imagine how humility played a part in the decision the shop owner made?
- How does learning someone's story help you act with more mercy?
- What kind of mercy has been shown to you in your life?
Connecting today's story, God's story and my story with my friend's story
- Think about a time when you were shown mercy when it wasn't deserved. Have you shown that same type of mercy to your friends? How about to your brothers or sisters? How about to your parents? What about complete strangers?
- Knowing people's stories helps us show more mercy. It also helps to remember the mercy shown to us by Jesus. Because of sin, death is the justice we all deserved, yet God showered us with mercy through the birth and sacrifice of His son.
- Who are the people in your life you need to show mercy to? You may have every right to be angry or hurt by them but could it be that God is asking you to give them another chance as the shop owner did for the robber? Pray about it and act as God leads you.
- Memorize Micah 6:8 and consider what justice, mercy and humility look like in your own life.
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