I just happen to have a daughter who is just like me. We love to sing and talk, and sometimes, we have a little sass. If we’re tired or hungry, you better watch out!
I know that when she’s in one of her moody moods, I have to show her grace. I have to fight my inner sass and speak with love instead of snark. Showing grace is so hard when we’re annoyed and irritated. The snark is so much easier, but who wants to cultivate that in their kids?
Kids need grace. Moms need grace. All of humanity would be so much better off with more grace.
Grace. Perhaps one of the key defining traits of Christianity is the grace of Jesus. There are countless verses in the Bible, including benedictions and blessings. We sing numerous songs too, each highlighting the grace found in Jesus Christ.
I came across a saying the other day pertaining to grace, maybe you’ve heard it: “Receive Grace. Live Grace. Show Grace.” Very nice, right?
In a world of so much hurt, stress and chaos, grace is a necessity. As Christ-followers I believe we have a huge responsibility when it comes to showing grace. We have generously received the grace, or “unmerited favor” of Jesus through our faith. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8, NIV).
Not only have we been saved by grace, by the gift of God, but every blessing we receive is grace. Remember, we don’t deserve it, do we?
“Out of His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” – John 1:16, NLT
Everything we have is “grace upon grace” (ESV). Now it’s up to us to live grace and show grace to others.
When non-believers come in contact with us, will they find grace? Will they learn to associate our behavior with grace, and by default, the grace of Jesus?
I’ve heard it said before that “You may be the only Bible someone reads today.” Taking that a step further, you might be the only example of the grace of Jesus that someone is shown today.
Showing grace and living grace sounds a little abstract to me. But let’s think about some practical ways we can live grace so others can see Jesus. Examples: letting someone go ahead of you in the grocery line; staying calm and not honking when someone cuts you off on the highway; withholding judgment and instead responding with an encouraging word. With your kids it could mean, speaking in kindness when they’re having a bad day, or allowing that extra scoop of ice cream because you know they worked hard at school. And more and more!
This simple quote about grace is worth pondering. After all, you might be someone’s first experience with grace.
**Photo by Renee Fisher on Unsplash
