Purposeful Faith

The Grace You Give Others

For years, I treated my china like an ancient heirloom. I didn’t want to use the plates. They were better preserved in a box than used in a kitchen where they may get scratched, chipped or broken. Until, one day, I decided, what good is a gift if you’re afraid to use it?

Now, they’re on a higher shelf. Less often used, but more easily accessed. Anyway, today, I started packing up the house (yes, we are moving!). And, as I pulled down a stack of Waterford plates from the high shelf, one broke. Bam!

Immediately, I had that sink-down-in-my-chest feeling. Then, my daughter said, “It’s okay, Mommy.” Two-seconds later, my son said, “Yes, mom. It’s just one piece.”

Amen! They were right!

I picked up the pieces and threw them away, with joy.  Why? Because grace gave me peace.

One well-timed word of grace changes everything. It tells someone, “You don’t have to be perfect.” It silences anxiety. It breaks self-reproach. It offers perspective.

How do you extend grace to others?

I am not the world’s best grace-giver. I get really irritated when my kids intentionally do something I told them not to. But, if I’ve done one little thing right it’s to say — when something breaks — “It’s okay, be kind to yourself.”

Some of you need to say that to yourself, “It’s okay. I can be kind to myself.”

When you make a mistake. “It’s okay. I can be kind to myself.”

When you drop the casserole. “It’s okay. I can be kind to myself.”

When you say the words you didn’t intend to say. “It’s okay. I can be kind to myself.”

Let yourself off the hook once in a while. Why? Because Jesus didn’t die to condemn you; He died to save you.

Sure, you can learn along the way from what you do wrong. But, receive as much grace towards yourself as you give to others. This will bless you. It is a blessing well-earned for you by Christ.

 

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purposefulfaith

Kelly, a fun-loving, active and spunky mom of two rambunctious toddlers, spends her days pushing swings, changing diapers and pursuing the Lord with all her heart. Called a "Cheerleader of Faith", Kelly's greatest desire is to help women live passionately, purposefully and unencumbered for the Lord.

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2 CommentsLeave a comment

  • This is so funny and timely! I just did something similar last night. I was vacuuming and decided to vacuum our dogs bEd. The vacuum sucked it up and it seized up the motor!!! UGH! We took the vacuum apart but it’s not fixable! ?. I was so bummed with myself. This morning I was still not happy with myself and kept apologizing to my hubby and remarking on my own stupidness! My hubby finally said, “ There could be worse mistakes. Did you learn from it? Then Let it go and move on!” He was right I need to have more grace with myself! So this word reminded me of this as well! Thank you! ❤️

  • I especially like the part where you said, “receive as much grace towards yourself as you give to others”. I often fail in that. Thank you for the reminder.

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