Grace is something I desperately, deeply need. So, I try to sprinkle it around. I hope that people in my life will return the favor.
I just got a bill (payable immediately) from my son’s university. They didn’t offer me much grace. In fact, they tacked on some finance charges, just to underscore their assertation that no more grace would be given out. I’m sure you can think of some examples of needing grace in your life, can’t you? I can.
For example, I often fail people, and sometimes they don’t understand. I don’t mean to, and I’m usually quite sorry, but occasionally, that doesn’t help too much. It’s then that I hope and pray for grace from others, however late in coming it may be.
Couldn’t the world be refreshed by gentle sprinklings of grace, like the perfect blend of salt and herbs floating down on a tasteless dish, or like pear blossoms raining softly down for a few weeks each spring? Wouldn’t the world be a little better, a little nicer with such dustings? Wouldn’t your relationships be better? I know mine would.
You know, I was pulled from such a deep pit of sucking, stinking muck, and I have so many shortcomings, that oftentimes my biggest need is grace. I’m so thankful for Easter, and all it represents. I’m so thankful for unmerited balance and beauty and charm, and for an endless debt forgiven.
And I’m thankful for friends and loved ones who cut me some slack, even when I don’t deserve it. Thank you, all.
In spring, we are reminded of new life by new things bursting forth all around us. Why don’t we try cultivating grace this season? I highly recommend it. Liberally sprinkle some around, like glittering, diamond-dust, on those around you. It is healing, it is beautiful, and it grows. And besides, you never know…
You might need it back some day.
For your Easter basket: Some grace truffles…to savor, to keep, and to pass around:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13: 34-35, NIV)
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…” (Matthew 7:12 a, NIV)
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36, NIV)
Stephanie, your posts are always so articulate and excellent. Mercy used to not be a strong gifting of mine and one day I had a light bulb moment, "Blessed are the mercy givers for they will be given mercy."
Thanks for the reminder - I want to be a GRACE-GIVER!!!! Because I need a lot of it in return.
Thank you, Susan. I, too, have not always had mercy as a strong suit. In fact, one of the things Jesus demanded I submit to Him for fixing in me was a critical spirit, which (sadly) I see sometimes in my children. Your Beatitudes quote reminded me of a scripture that kicked me in the backside on this issue: the fact that if we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven. Wow. When that one hit me, I listened. Thanks for YOUR reminders…
RE: Seeing the critical spirit at times in my children: It's amazing how we pass our junk on. One more reason to fix it!
Love.
We all need grace!;)
More importantly we need to learn to give grace to others.
How our churches would grow if we quite judging others and instead gave grace!
Thanks Stephanie for the reminder.
AMEN, Mendy! Yes, m'am.
Love your toughts Stephanie. I am always saying I must give grace because I need so much. So thanful for His Amazing Grace. Thankful for you !!
Oh, Lynn. So thankful for you, too. More than you'll ever know!
Love this! I imagine if I want grace sprinkled onto my dish, I gotta be ready & able to sprinkle it on others. Thanks for the beautiful, gentle, gracious reminder.