finding grace

Grace.

It’s been on my mind today.  Mainly because I had to ask God to give it to me.  I had to ask specifically for Him to help me to have the eyes to see someone I interacted with using His eyes.  I had to ask Him to help me find grace in my heart.

You know, the typical situation when you are out and about and apparently someone near you is having an obvious bad day. 

They’re hurried.

They’re not making eye contact.

They’re sighing.

And then it comes….the snip.  The snippy comments that make the inside of you cringe and you fight hard to have a good attitude….and to keep somewhat of a smile on your face.  OH, I admit, the thoughts were there.  I had my comeback on the tip of my tongue – but then I thought, held it and stewed. 

I stewed all the way to my husband while trying my best to see this person in a different light.  It wasn’t easy.  I was clearly the brunt of her tough morning.  I didn’t deserve it….hmm, come to think of it, no one deserves stuff like that – BUT, from the moment it happened, it was one of those refining moments.  One that you know that God has placed in front of you to teach you something.

Just talking to Chris helped me.  It made me say it aloud and realize I’ve been there…yup, it’s been me on the other end and others have given me the benefit of the doubt.  Should I not extend it to this stranger? 

Sometimes you can almost visualize the battle of the unseen happening around you…well, at least I can.  There’s the Holy Spirit cheering you on while you are trying to respond with a Christ-like attitude, and then on the other side of the ring there is the enemy urging you to say something to her boss ‘cause you know it will probably get her fired.  And I’m in the middle.

My flesh wants justice.

My heart knows grace and love need to be extended.

The right doesn’t always prevail.  I need you to know that.  But today, the good guy mostly won.  If He had totally won, the thoughts wouldn’t have been there in the first place.  But in the end, He won.  Why shouldn’t He?  He has my heart…ahhh.  The crux.  He has my heart – but do I daily give it to Him?  I am free to chose.

“You my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature [oops on me]; rather, serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Galatians 5:13-14

The idea has been so rolling around my gray matter that we were talking about it tonight at dinner.  And Hudson asked, “What exactly is grace?”  My simple answer for my 5 year old pretty much sums up what I need to remember…

Grace is getting and giving love even when you don’t deserve it.

I get underserved love every day from my Savior.  How simplistic that I can share that love abundantly with someone that is sighing, hurried and having a bad day.  I hope I remember next time.