I have had something on my heart lately that I just need to share. Something I am certainly not overly proud of but something I am learning from and working through. It’s one of those things that I dislike about myself. You know, that something that is a deep reflection of your heart that you pray to be refined and removed. That something you try to hide, hoping others don’t see.
Giving grace when it’s hard.
Grace. The exercise of love, kindness, mercy and favor. Grace is undeserved, unmerited and unearned.
You see, I have been stuck in this place where I have been expecting grace from others. Grace for things I am working on. Grace for my kids and our family. Grace and understanding that we are in the trenches.
I have been really great at asking for grace but really terribly at giving grace in return.
I have found myself lately living in a state of quick to judge instead of mercy and kindness. I react to others with thoughts and feelings they don’t deserve. Feelings of judgement and frustration. Reactions that may not be voiced but that are felt. Feelings that are a clear reflection of my heart. A heart that I desire to be filled with grace.
As moms, we all often find ourselves in a place where we lack grace for others. We don’t stop to realize the judgement we subconsciously place on other Moms working hard in trenches like we are. We stop giving grace and place our personal expectations on others.
I love how T.D. Jakes says it best, “We have a tendency to want the other person to be a finished product while we give ourselves the grace to evolve.”
I challenge us all today to live a life full of grace and to be an example of the grace we were given. The grace that only Jesus can give.
Remember that there is always another side, a part to their story you may not know or a pain so deep they can hardly bear.
Give grace when it’s the hardest and love when it feels like you have no more to give.
You know next time, it may just be YOU needing a little extra grace!
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