What is needed..............

I have been thinking a lot about mercy.  I need it and I desire it.  I am grateful for knowledge that allows me to believe and have faith in a merciful Heavenly Father.  It bring hope.  I know that I am a child a God, a beloved daughter.  Throughout my time here on earth I have also come to a very real and true principle, I am not perfect.  I am tempted, I sin, I get angry, I act out, I occasionally lose my way.  On the other hand, I plead for mercy, I say I am sorry, I repent, I seek peace, and have learned with a broken heart and contrite spirit.  I am not perfect and I need God's mercy.  I have also learned that everyone else on this planet is not perfect.  To me, that is an extremely humbling idea.  If I accept that idea, then mercy is also expected of me.  That person who offended me, the one one who hurt me, the individual who made a mistake is in need of my mercy as I am of theirs.  Humbling, yes?  If I take the time to view others as I so desperately desire my Heavenly Father to view me, would I not be kinder? Gentler? More compassionate? More forgiving?  I have no idea how much an individual prays for help or seeks guidance with weakness and struggles.  I have no clue as to the trials and sorrows of each person's life, but Heavenly Father does.  He knows.  That is why next time I become irritated or fed up with someone or their actions, I hope that I remember mercy.  I hope that before I open my mouth or write hateful words, the image of that individual praying for help comes to my mind.  With that picture in my mind maybe my response and thoughts will be different and closer to that of my Heavenly Father.  I have been thinking a lot about mercy.  I need it, I desire it, and I must be willing to give it.