6 Ways to Extend Grace
I unzipped my purse and started fishing for my wallet as I bit my lower lip in shame.
With my driver’s license and insurance card in hand, I scrambled out of the car with the strong wind of condemnation whipping across my face.
I thought I’d looked in the rear-view mirror, but I guess I missed that blind spot.
As I limped toward the smash up behind me, my heart finally crashed and flat-lined. All week long, I’d held on to the steering wheel as tragic circumstances had slammed up against me and my man. We didn’t sign up for a demolition derby. I wanted off this ricochet ride.
“I’m so sorry. That was totally my fault.” I managed to look her straight in the eye and not cry.
As she examined the damage, I cringed. Her fancy car was probably worth my entire salary for 2016.
“You know what, there’s really not that much damage, and I don’t have time to sit here and wait for the police. You can go. Just be more careful. Okay?”
God bless you, rich lady in the black BMW. You chose to ignore the evident black marks and scratches.
As I strapped my seat belt back on, I thanked God for U-turns and open lanes to forgiveness.
Do you want to be a grace giver like black BMW lady? Me, too. I’ve spent a few weeks back on the road to redemption reflecting on how to follow her example.
6 Ways to Extend God’s Grace
Forgive the Fallen
Before you sling accusations at another sinner, remember God’s love has lifted you up out of a messy mire.
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13, NLT
Help the Hurting
Don’t stand on the sidelines when one of your teammates is wounded. We are most like Christ when we step toward suffering and bandage the weary with the healing balm of God’s mercy.
When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:13
Praise your People
Gratitude adds a sweet flavor and spices up a bland day. To awaken another’s appetite for good fare, sprinkle affirmations liberally.
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. I Corinthians 1:3-4
Believe the Best about your Buddies
Every life given to God is a flower in bloom. Take note of the sweet fragrance and beauty in others.
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6
Build up the Bruised and Broken
Speak words of support and shy away from slamming others with stony verbal responses.
… Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29
Love the Lovely and the Loony Alike
Charity clings to compassion when the world cries for condemnation. Choose to cheer and celebrate rather than complain and criticize.
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2
Offering God’s grace to an offender opens up the door to hope and healing.
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Lyli, wonderful post! Each point so needed and so powerful. May we be a people who always remember the grace we have been offered and so extend grace to others.
Such good action points for extending grace. Believing the best is not my natural reaction. It’s something I’m working on and helpful to see it in print. Thanks for your heart here.
I picture the grace of God flowing into my life and then, unhindered and unhoarded, flowing on out into the lives of others. The trick is (sigh) to live that picture every day when my heart wants to judge and to dole out grace in teaspoonfuls according to my own merit system.
So glad that your story ended the way it did, and that you shared it here.
Beautiful! And what a blessing was bestowed on you. Think how we could change the world if we all spilled grace around us each day!
What a beautiful story of GRACE. Thanks for the linkup!
so needed and so helpful and wow so relieved for you! was stopped the other night bec my brights were on…he looked about 12 (the officer) but I kept my mouth shut and wondered how bored he was that night but also so grateful I didn’t get a ticket! Ha! bless you, lyli.
Wow–how awesome that she gave you grace like that! What a rarity. May we go and do likewise. Thanks for sharing that story so we can also give others the benefit of the doubt and extend the surprising gift of grace.
Oh girl…I’ve had the same thing happen to me! I nice man decided not to fix some scratches on his expensive car. Blew me away! I love how you’ve been moved to think upon grace because of it. Beautiful…
Hi Lyli~What a great reminder of how to treat others with the same grace we have been given. Your point on reaching out to others who are hurting is especially poignant. Sometimes, we feel at such a loss of how to help someone else with either a physical, emotional, or spiritual need. Instead of making someone feel uncomfortable, we back away from the situation. But offering whatever little each of us has to offer can make another person’s world that much better.
Your point on showing compassion instead of condemnation as the world does takes much grace and the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. But essential as we desire others to know Jesus.
Thank you for the thought-provoking post!
Blessings,
Janis