What are tangible ways to extend God’s grace to others? When I consider the Lord’s undeserved kindness toward me, I’m in awe. I cannot do anything less than share that same grace to my family, friends, and coworkers.
When my youngest child leaves dirty dishes on the counter instead of placing them in the dishwasher, I forgive. When she squished my fresh, out-of-the-oven homemade bread as she cut a slice, I gave instructions on how to cut warm bread.
A friend, Daphne, and I get together often. A third person shared something from Daphne’s past I didn’t know. When Daphne apologized to me for her past behavior, I said, “No reason to apologize. That’s not the Daphne I know.” I offered love and kindness.
At times, I mess up and forget to extend grace. I get upset with my youngest when she leaves her personal belongings all over the sofa in the family room. And on one occasion with a coworker, instead of sharing grace, I threw up my hands and said, “Whatever. But I’m not happy about this.” (Later, I apologized. To make me happy wasn’t a part of my job description.)
Then there are times in the heat of a battle, I remember to pray and ask God for help to offer grace. When I received a promotion, Marcy accused me of climbing over everyone else to get to the top. She’d worked for the company longer, and anger consumed her. I took a position that placed me above her, and she no longer wanted to interact with me. While she criticized me, I prayed. “Lord. Help me extend grace. Keep me calm and help me respond with kindness.”
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare
(Proverbs 15:1, NLT).
I understood her frustration and didn’t argue. Instead, I sat and listened while she shared her feelings. Then I told her I was sorry and hoped to repair what had broken between us. It took two years, but when she apologized for her reaction that day, she admitted I’d done a good job in my position.
Did Marcy deserve my kindness? Bitterness filled her words. I hadn’t promoted myself. I could have argued several facts with her. But whatever I said during her heated condition would have proven nothing to her. Better for me to extend grace even though at that moment she didn’t deserve it.
Just as I don’t deserve God’s grace. But I’m so thankful He extends His love, kindness, and forgiveness to me.
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others
the Good News about the wonderful grace of God
(Acts 20:24, NLT).
This Scripture describes telling others who Christ is and sharing the truth of His grace. When we walk in love, kindness, and forgiveness, we show God’s grace. People may need to see it lived out in us before they’ll hear it from our lips.
How do you extend God’s grace?
Photo by Leah S. Terrell