THROUGH THE EYES OF MERCI

The Assignment

BY KELLEY RENE

Women World Leaders presents “Through the Eyes of Merci,” written by award-winning author Kelley Rene. Kelley writes contemporary fiction to illustrate biblical truths in the mundane, the exhilarating, and even the stormy circumstances of life.

Merci Rivers is a college senior navigating the challenges of university life. In the last issue, she collided with a glass bottle that sent her to the emergency room, causing her to miss an important interview for an internship she needs to graduate. Deflated and discouraged as she seeks help from her academic advisor, Merci can’t help but wonder, Why did God let this happen?

Read “Through the Eyes of Merci” from the beginning. The first episode is printed in Voice of Truth: 11th Edition, Quarter I, 2023. All episodes are available www.womenworldleaders.com.

Merci steps out of Merriam Hall into a chilly spring morning. The heavy metal doors of the building slam shut behind her with a screeching wail.

“God, I am so angry!” she shouts as she plods down the elaborate concrete staircase, disturbing a nest of chirping birds nearby. Fury pumps through her veins.

Her academic advisor’s words ruminate in her mind. Unfortunately, without completing an internship, I have no choice but to deny your application for graduation. It’s completely out of my hands. Merci knew it was unlikely that the university would waive the internship requirement, but she had hoped her advisor could find an alternative.

Fresh tears sting Merci’s eyes. She swipes at them, irritating the tender skin still raw from the stitches. An obscenity surges through her and nips at her throat. Three months earlier, a beer bottle collided with her nose, and every day since that fateful party, she’s faced the consequences—by no choice of her own. Thankfully, there was no long-term damage—aside from the obvious scar, the missed interview—which cost her the internship, and of course, the raised eyebrows every time she answers the question, “What happened?”

Merci kicks and stomps her way across a budding knoll to the student parking lot. Now, she must stay at the university for another semester. She’d have to apply for more student loans to take extra classes she doesn’t need just to meet the enrollment qualifications. It doesn’t make sense, she fumes as she jams her hand into her bag to find her car keys.

This is so unfair, God. I just don’t understand. Why is this happening?

A car horn reverberates off the concrete walls of the garage, startling Merci and sending her keys to the pavement. As she rights herself, her eyes lock with Belinda, who is sitting in the front passenger seat of the car parked next to hers. Something in the girl’s composure jolts Merci out of her temper tantrum. She waves her hand, realizing she has never thanked Belinda for all her help the night of the accident. Belinda had carefully dressed her wound and driven her to the emergency room.

Belinda looks away.

“Belinda!” Merci steps between the vehicles and taps the closed window.

Belinda hesitates, then opens the door a crack. “Hey.”

“I wanted to say thank you,” she motions towards her face, “for helping me.”

Belinda contorts her mouth. “It was nothin’.”

“It certainly was. Just having you with me that night made me feel so much better.” Merci wants to reach in for a hug, but the space is tight, and Belinda seems guarded.

“Are you okay?” Merci squats beside the car and grasps the door for balance.

A ripple runs across Belinda’s chin, and her eyes fill. “No.” She crosses her arms over her chest.

Merci drops to her knees and gently touches Belinda’s arm. “What’s wrong?”

“Baxter is angry with me.” Sobs rumble over her shoulders and jumble her words. “Clive kissed me and told Baxter we’re together.”

Merci hesitates. What is the charming Clive thinking? Maybe that’s why her roommate, Baxter, hasn’t been at the apartment much. “Are you? Together?”

Another sob ripples through Belinda’s body. “Once.”

How could he? She’s a freshman. A new wave of fury consumes Merci. “Belinda, do you want to go somewhere to talk?”

“I can’t.” She rubs the heels of her fists over her eyes. “I’m waiting for Clive.”

Merci bites back a retort. “Do you want to wait for Clive… or do you have to wait for Clive?”

“He told me he’d only be a minute, but it’s been at least forty-five.”

Her deflection told Merci what she needed to know. “Belinda, I’d really love to talk with you more. How about you and I go have coffee?”

“Clive will be mad if I’m not here when he returns.”

“He may be. But that’s okay. If he cares about you, he’ll understand.”

Belinda draws in the words, allows them to simmer and saturate her mind. “True.”

Merci stands and holds the door open. “Hop in my car. I’ll tell Clive it was my idea.”

Lord, could it be that You have more for me to do here? Forgive me, Father. Help me to keep my eyes on You.

It’s possible that you, like me, can relate to Merci. Sometimes, things happen in life that just don’t make sense. Our understanding is limited, but God’s is not.

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART; DO NOT DEPEND ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. SEEK HIS WILL IN ALL YOU DO, AND HE WILL SHOW YOU WHICH PATH TO TAKE. (PROVERBS 3:5-6 NLT)

Do you get angry when your circumstances take a left turn when you want them to go right? Do you throw yourself a pity party? I know I have a time or two. Or three. But God is ever so gentle in revealing His will if only we’ll take our focus off ourselves and put it back on Him.

Joseph models this principle beautifully in Genesis. His brothers sell him into slavery. He’s wrongly accused. He’s forgotten in prison. And yet, years later, Joseph says to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Gen 50:20 NLT).

If you’ve found yourself in an unfortunate situation— whether by your own doing or not—you can trust God to lead and direct you through it. If necessary, repent. Turn to God. Allow your circumstances to teach you, grow your faith, and propel you into greater purpose. But beware. Don’t transfer your limitations to God. His plan may look very different than your expectations.

Merci has a choice: wallow in self-pity or accept a divine assignment. When life presents you with unfavorable circumstances, take a deep breath, refocus on God, and step into His will. He will show you great and mighty things. (Luke 5:26)

Check in with Merci next quarter to see how God takes a broken nose, a missed interview, and a new friendship to strengthen Merci’s faith and redirect the course of her life.

Kelley Rene is the co-visionary author of the international best-seller Miracle Mindset: Finding Hope In the Chaos. She desires to be a conduit of God’s love and forgiveness and is often inspired by new people she meets on her travels. When she’s not scribbling insightful stories, you’ll find her crocheting, kayaking, enjoying the beach, or cuddling a good book and cappuccino. Keep up with her at kelleyrene.com or on socials @imkelleyrene.