I accuse my son of being a "hard learner".  He struggles, it seems with the same disobedience over and over.  I tend to lose "sympathy" with is mourning over his discipline as it should, at least to me, not be a "shock" as to his punishment.  I feel as if he is going to keep doing this same thing over and over, knowing it is wrong and there will be a punishment, that  he is "getting what he deserves".
A few weeks ago, I got pulled over by a State Trooper.  I knew immediately that it was for talking on my cell phone.  I wish I could tell you that this is my first ticket for this issue, it isn't.  It is my THIRD!  Mind you, my third over a few years, but still not a good thing.
I didn't argue with the officer.  How could I?  I was guilty.  I ended up losing the ticket and had to call the court to get another one mailed to me.  I pleaded "guilty" on the ticket and mailed it in and awaited my monetary fate.
A week or so later, it came back and was $135!  WHEW!  It was due by the 21st of this month.  With Christmas, and two major issues with my car that needed to be taken care of right away, I was without the money when the due date came.

I was pretty nervous as I called the court to beg them for an extension.  I had a hope that they would at LEAST give me a week, or even to the first of January.  A friendly voice came on the phone and I explained that my ticket was due, and that I did not have enough, what could I do?   She asked, "When do you think you CAN have the money?" 
I told her by the first week of January.  She replied that she would change the due date for January 12th.  Tears came to my eyes as I told the woman that it was more than merciful.  I also told her that she had given me a great blessing for Christmas.  She laughed and said she was glad. 

When I got off the phone, a realization came to me that I did NOT get what I deserved.  If I had been in charge, I would have said:

This is your third offense!  Not only are you going to have to pay it ON TIME, I am adding more so that you will remember to NOT break this law again.  I see I need to be more HARSH with YOU, because you can NOT seem to learn this lesson. 

But that is not what I got.  I got grace and mercy.  And it wasn't like these things came from some godly institution!  I thanked God for showing me His love.  I thanked Him for being such an awesome example to me, for OBVIOUSLY, I lack in this area. 

So not only will I look at the next "struggle" with my son's "hard learning", but will look at other areas in my life where I am not showing grace and mercy to someone.

Thank you Father for being such a good Father to me.  Help me to reflect Your love in my parenting.