MERCY ME

 I am a big fan of the old TV series, “Little House on the Prairie;” so much so that I watched three of the segments this morning.

But given the foregoing scripture, and the focus of this particular blog, allow me to figuratively weave a couple of the television segments together.

We see Charles Ingalls and a much older man engaged in a log chopping contest; sponsored by the fictional town of Walnut Grove. As the contest began five men were in fierce competition with one another, but now, the participants have been “widdled” down to just two, and each are determined to win.

Ultimately, Charles and Jonah have come down to the end of the contest, and now the best two out of three matches will win the day. Each man’s ax strikes blow after blow on the hapless logs beneath them. And now, the men move to the other side of their quest, and furiously continue chopping.

Finally, Charles’ log succumbs to his unyielding blows, and lays in two pieces before him. Subsequently, Noah bests Charles heroic efforts, and he wins the second of the three matches.

And now, the judge declares a thirty minute break, and each man joins his wife on the sidelines. Having eaten a sandwich, and gulped down a quart of water, we see Charles seated in a nearby barn sharpening his ax.

Pt. 2

Suddenly, Matilda, Noah’s wife, walks into the barn, and begins to speak.

“Hello Charles. You know my Noah has won Walnut Grove’s, ‘The Bull of the Woods Log Chopping Contest’ every two years for a very long time. But, Charles, I can tell he’s having trouble out there. He seems to be declining the past few months. He just hasn’t felt well.”

And now, a tear rolls down Matilda’s cheek, and she begins to sob.

“Oh Charles, this contest means so much to Noah. You know he’s a proud man. I think losing this contest would just about do him in, and maybe me too.”

And with this, the aging woman slowly turns, and walks out the stable door.

Well, as you can imagine, the implication of Matilda’s visit is not lost on Charles. And given his legendary empathy, (at least in this little corner of the world) he is quick to catch on.

The judge blows the whistle, and once again Charles and Noah “go to work” on their respective logs. The axes rise and fall dozens of times. And then, suddenly, Noah’s log splits first, though Charles is just seconds behind.

The crowd screams their approval, and the judge yells above the din of noise around him.

“Noah Tyler has won the 1887 Walnut Grove Bull of the Woods Log Chopping Contest! Congratulations Noah!”

And with this, the former pins a blue ribbon on Noah’s inflated chest.

Of course, the sixty year old man’s grin almost outshines the sun, and his wife beams with pride. He is still the “Bull of the Woods.”

Now, Charles walks up to the old man, and congratulates him with the statement,

“You got me this time, Noah, but you just wait ‘til the next Bull of the Woods contest!”

Having spoken to his chief competitor, Charles locks eyes with the smiling Matilda, and she nods her head, as if to say, “Thank you.”

Pt. 3

The contest done and won, Charles, and his family walk back to their horse and wagon, and Laura watches as her dad begins to wrap the head of the ax in burlap. And she says,

“Pa, you used a borrowed ax ‘til the last match. Then you used your old one.”

Charles responds.

“You know you’re right, Half-pint. Mr. Tyler is a good man with an ax. But he’s a lot older than I am.”

(and)

“You know when you get older, you get tired a lot easier.”

(and)

“Just like you winning a race with a big head start. It doesn’t mean anything to win if you have a head start. That’s why I switched the axes in the last match. Just so it would be even between me and Mr. Tyler.”

And with this, Laura’s frown turns into a grin, and she says,

“Mr. Tyler sure is happy about winning.”

And now, Pa rubs her head, and exclaims,

“No happier than I am about losing!”

On this day, Laura has learned an important lesson about extending mercy to another human being.

Pt. 4

The next day, Caroline Ingalls walks into the Olson’s Mercantile, and selects a 5 pound bag of sugar, a 10 pound bag of flour, and a few pieces of hard candy.

Stepping up to the counter, Harriet Oleson rings up her purchases.

“That will be $2.57, Mrs. Ingalls.”

With a slight tinge in her cheeks, Caroline answers,

“Please put it on our account, Mrs. Oleson.”

Harriet’s smile turns into a frown.

“Now, Mrs. Ingalls. You know this is not a charity organization. We have already paid for everything you see in this store; cash and carry. We are really not in a position to extend credit to you every time you walk through our door! I’m sorry your husband can’t find a job that will support his family, but that, my dear, is not my fault!”

And as her face turns a deep red, Caroline leaves the sugar, flower and candy on the counter, turns on her heels, and walks out the door.

I knew Harriet Oleson. Well, at least I knew the great, late actress, Katherine MacGregor, who portrayed her; at least from a distance. You see, Katherine and I were pen pals for a few months; back in 2008. And honestly, based on four or five letters I received from her, there were some similarities between the actress and her television character. (However, I don’t think the similarities were as pronounced as what we see on TV).

From my way of thinking Ms. MacGregor was the finest female supporting actor of all time; at least my time. I mean, she was just so believable. Mrs. Oleson was such a nasty, vicious, vindictive, manipulative, gossipy woman.

And such a study in contrasts with her neighbor, Charles Ingalls who was, as scripture admonishes, determined to do good to all men.

Whereas, in the log chopping competition, Charles offers Mr. Tyler the gifts of mercy and grace, Mrs. Oleson “climbs all over” Caroline when she attempts to charge a couple of inexpensive items at the mercantile.

Afterward

I love a couple of definitions I came across a few years ago.

Mercy – Not getting what we deserve

Grace – Getting what we don’t deserve

And I don’t think we can do any better than to extend mercy and grace to those whom God sets in our pathway. For after all, didn’t God extend mercy and grace to us?

I think Charles Ingalls and Harriet Oleson offer us such an excellent study in contrasts. I think we would do good to emulate the former of the two, rather than the latter.

by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending

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