THROUGH THE EYES OF MERCI

Turn the Other Cheek

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.

“Through the Eyes of Merci” follows the fictional character, Merci Rivers, Merci Rivers, as she navigates the challenges of university life. In the last issue, Merci embraced an opportunity to stand firm in her convictions. She believes she did the right thing but wonders if it ever gets easier. Daily struggles take their toll, and she’s learning she must lean into her faith and turn the other cheek when persecuted in order to keep her heart aligned with Christ.

“It was so good to see you today, Karis. I’ve missed you so much.” Merci unbuckles her seat belt and grabs her bag from the floorboard. They’d shared so many fun memories in Bible Study and on campus before Karis graduated. “Just when I think the year’s off to a great start, I have to tell my roommate I won’t buy her beer. It killed our cool apartment vibe.”

“I know it was hard, but you did the right thing.” Karis leans into a hug, “I’ll be praying for your interview tomorrow.”

“Pray that I find my driver’s license too.” Merci hops from the passenger front seat and shouts over the idling engine as she crosses in front of the vehicle, “Me and Jesus. We got this!” She laughs and tosses a kiss to her old friend before taking the stairs two at a time. The air is frigid. Fortunately, Christmas vacation is just a week away.

Students stand in groups of two and three as Merci makes her way along the corridor. Bottles and cans overflow the stainless steel trash can she’d bought the first day she arrived on campus, now acting as a doorstop to hold open the front door to their apartment. The twang of an electric guitar cuts through the dozen or so voices cluttering the living room.

Merci squeezes her way through a triangle of girls laughing at a joke told by a guy balancing on a side chair. His arms poise to slam dunk a beer bottle raised toward the ceiling.

“Is that Merci?” Clive, her neighbor with the magnetic eyes, yells from the sofa, causing her to go into fight or flight mode. His arm drapes over Baxter’s shoulders.

Merci hadn’t seen her roommate, Baxter, in weeks. Fury flares in the pit of her stomach as Baxter casually tosses her legs across Clive’s lap and leans into his chest. “Merci, you’re home.”

“Hang out with us.” Clive pats the open spot beside him, taking Merci back to the night in his bedroom.

“Baxter, I have an interview tomorrow.” Merci raises her voice above the chaos.

“Quiet everyone! Merci needs her beauty rest.” A sneer stretches across Clive’s face. He’s toying with her, and Merci wants no part of it.

The amateur comedian atop the chair sends a beer bottle into the crowd like a hot potato rounding the room. His eager audience moans and groans as they work to keep the glass in the air.

“By the way, thanks for the brewskis!” Baxter holds an aluminum can upward and taunts Merci with a conniving smile. “I found your driver’s license. It’s on the refrigerator.”

Merci presses through a mob of bodies toward the kitchen. Her ID now hangs where Baxter’s note once had. The note requesting Merci to buy beer for her underage roommates. The note with which Merci refused to comply, branding her a party pooper. She swings around. “You stole my ID?”

The game of hot potato dissipates as the partiers instantly clear a path for her accusation. The forgotten beer bottle drops with a whack solidly on Merci’s nose.

Warm blood oozes into her hands, which are now shielding her face. Tears flush her eyes.

Groans and apologies posit into the confusion. A hand on her arm leads Merci down the hall, through her bedroom, and into the bathroom. “Hold this to your nose.”

Merci hadn’t seen Belinda since the first day they met, but she easily accepts the proffered clump of tissue. Muffled music and distant laughter indicate Merci’s already been forgotten. Contempt festers in her mind. How could Baxter steal her ID?

Merci winces in the mirror at the swollen deformity on her face. Bruises seep into the pockets around her eyes.

“You should go to the hospital.” Belinda is clearly concerned.

“I can’t. I have an interview tomorrow.” Shock and horror grip her. “HAD an interview. I can’t go like this.” A jagged cut reaching below her left eye burns as fresh tears trickle down her face. Belinda is right. Without medical care, she might be left with permanent scarring or worse.

God, I’m so angry. How could she do this? It’s going to cost me the internship I need to graduate.

IF WE PERSEVERE IN GRACE AND PRAYER,
OUR HEARTS WILL SOFTEN AND ALIGN WITH HIS.

Ever have circumstances—or a person—turn against you? Merci did nothing wrong but must now face undue consequences. It seems so unfair.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches the concept of turning the other cheek. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for an eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:38-42 NIV).

Jesus goes on to admonish us to love our neighbors AND our enemies. This is quite the foreign concept in society, and yet that is what the Bible instructs us to do. Jesus modeled this for us throughout the New Testament.

God can turn even the worst of circumstances into a blessing.

Won’t we appear weak? Maybe. But in due time, if we persevere in grace and prayer, our hearts will soften and align with His. We may also see God change the hearts of those around us.

Are you tangled in a web of anger and unforgiveness? Are you holding onto an offense that God is telling you to release? Give it to Him and trust that He can turn even the worst of circumstances into a blessing. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love (Ephesians 4:2 NLT).

Merci must now choose—be angry at those who mistreat her or forgive and allow God to determine the outcome. Letting go of offenses and praying for those who have offended us are two great indicators we’ve turned the other cheek.

Join us next quarter to see if Merci can turn a broken nose and missed interview into an opportunity to give God glory. 

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.