Choosing to Extend Grace

It is easy to extend grace in a “good situation” but what does it mean to extend grace, and forgiveness during the difficulties of life?

“For I am truly persuaded nothing will separate us from the wonderful love of God, from above He will send us, if we let Him live within us… (Romans 8:38-39, old song lyrics)

Grace is defined as courteous goodwill. It is extending mercy and compassion during hurt or difficulty.

Living by grace is seeking to understand more and be understood less.

Grace is asking questions to clarify that heal and unite. Grace is loving despite all the “junk” that separates us from another person.

Romans 8 says: “Nothing separates us from the love of God…” really?

Sometimes I choose to allow my thoughts to separate me from the love of God. Last evening, I was reading some anonymous thoughts about me and the work that I do. I allowed those unidentified opinions to become bigger than life. My reflections took on the ugliness of those words on paper and I focused on all the negativity they embodied. There was nothing good that had been accomplished, there was not work that had been completed, “Nothing good!” I said to myself.

But then Jesus stepped into those thoughts and said through a friend: “let’s look at the truth of the situation.” The comments became manageable, the truth reminded me of the context and assisted me in seeing a “bigger picture.”

Instead of fear, I looked at the situation through the eyes of faith.

I prayed, Lord help me to first feel your arms around me, help me to know that no matter what, you love me and are here with me.”

What am I able to learn from this? No matter what my thoughts are about another person or situation, pray first to remember God is already there and loves me!

Second, to remind myself I am only as far from His love as I choose to be.

When someone says hurtful words, when life hurts, when I do not understand how to love someone, Jesus still loves me and calls me to love the other person through that love. Amidst the hurt, because of His love, I am empowered to extend grace. “Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing…” He declared as He hung from the cross. That is my prayer for this year:

My Prayer
Father forgive me when I do not understand to serve you first sometimes means I will be hurt and have wounds. Father forgive me when I forget that to love my neighbor means attempting to clarify misunderstanding and to seek peace, extend mercy and respond in your grace. In the midst of the hurts of life, emotional, physical, spiritual, May I be reminded of God’s love that never fails!

4832 Ponderings

• Are you living by the power of the Holy Spirit reminding you that “nothing separates you from the love of God?”
• What opportunities will you seek today to extend grace, mercy and compassion in a situation that threatens your full acceptance of God’s love?
• What can we pray for you?