The light...

Have you ever noticed that, when it comes to mercy, you typically always get only just enough?

Nobody gets fat off mercy.

It typically comes right at the last minute, and in tightly controlled portion sizes.  It doesn't come strong enough that you never have to worry again.  It doesn't ever take all the stress away.  It typically gives you just what you need.

Mercy.

Like the sweetest of kisses leaving you longing for more.

The idea translates nicely to our stories for the screen.  When you need to give your character a break, you should give it to them at the very end of it all and in a way that's surprising and difficult and just enough to help them scrape by.  Don't ever save them all at once or once and for all.

Also, in terms of the way in which mercy infiltrates your preaching, the challenge is to glory in the free gift of it and the unexpectedness of it while still holding on to the idea that we mustn't trespass on it, or assume--in any way--that it's something deserved or due.

Mercy is, by definition, undeserved, a gift.

Something we have no right to expect.

Which is why, when it does show up, it always turns night to day and always leaves us with a scene worth filming,  a message worth preaching and a life worth living.

T