We are constantly learning in our faith, aren’t we?
Bible talks a lot about grace. God has been teaching me in this area.
Grace is the foundation upon which the gospel message was built.
God showed and taught us so much about grace throughout the old and new testament. So undeserving but yet given so freely. By his example he teaches us how to give grace BUT do we always know how to receive it?
I recently messed up. Made a mistake. It was an honest and genuine accident.
We are human, it’s going to happen. We are flawed. We are going to have moments where we need that extension of grace given to us, by a friend in my case. In this particular instance immediately after it happened I felt awful, sick to my stomach awful. Apologized and the whole while thinking, how is she being so nice about this? I kept apologizing and finally she asked me, “Lauren…Have you ever had a situation where someone messed up with you, and you had to show grace?” I thought for about .2 seconds and responded with “Yes”… and basically she was pretty much saying, this is grace, I’m giving it, so RECEIVE IT. I never thought I had a problem with that, but apparently there was more to be learned in my life on the topic of grace.
It’s easier to do for others what we can’t always do for ourselves. Doesn’t help we are always the hardest on ourselves. But there was a clear lesson to be learned here by the greatest teacher and also in this case my friend was the the co-teacher as well, lol. She showed me grace with her words, she showed me grace with her forgiveness, and she showed me grace with her response in a time when I needed it.
We don’t like to screw up, we don’t like to let people down, but when we do we always know that grace is there to meet us. It’s in the hug that people offer when we do mess up that lets us know it’s okay. It’s in the smile that person gives that says “Hey, I’ve messed up too, you’re not alone.”
Grace is something we should be constantly striving for. Grace is not something we just say before dinner, it isn’t just a name given to women. Grace isn’t always about moving your body gracefully; it’s a much higher calling.
To be able to show grace fully is a big order. I encourage you to look for ways to shine your grace toward others and inspire them to do the same, as my friend who so kindly extended me grace has inspired me to do.
It’s about living into grace when we least feel like it, even when it’s not deserved. And may it always point back to the one above who has extended us ALL grace time and time again… Am I right or am I right?
Lord, help me to always chase grace.
