Extend Grace

I was in the car with my kids and there was a crazy driver – you know the kind – that speed around you and cut you off, just missing you by inches. My initial reaction was, “You idiot!” but as soon as that came out of my mouth, the Holy Spirit filled me with conviction. First, I shouldn’t have said that in front of my kids – what kind of example am I being? Second, I shouldn’t judge as I do not know what that person is going through. And third, it’s just not nice to call people names. James 1:19 came to mind “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

So, I took a breath and said, “You know kids, I am sorry for saying something unkind to that person driving by, and I am sorry God for sinning. Lord, please forgive me. I don’t know what that person is going through – maybe they have an emergency and are racing to the hospital to see a loved one. I probably would have done the same thing in that situation. It’s not my place to judge. I should instead, be kind and extend grace.” At ages 6 & 9, the kids didn’t exactly understand “extend grace” so I explained how God shows us grace. For example, say you were mean to your sibling, and your sibling still gave you a piece of their candy – that’s extending grace – they forgave you and treated you with kindness.

Grace is undeserved mercy. God extends us grace through forgiveness, second chances, the benefit of the doubt, and loving us even though we do not deserve it. He does this because of His good character and unending love for us. He showers us with grace every day, it is not something we earn – it is a gift. God’s grace – in the best gift of all – is Jesus His Son, who died on the cross to give us a way to be with Him for eternity.

By extending grace, you are not condoning a persons’ behavior, you are simply forgiving them and showing them kindness. God teaches us in the Bible to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32).

In the car that day, the Holy Spirit convicted me by pointing out “Who am I to judge?” We all are sinners. We all make mistakes and hurt others. We all need grace. In Matthew 7:3-5, Jesus says, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

As I reflected on this verse, I thought “Have I ever cut in front of someone on the road before?” Yes, of course. “Have I ever been rude to someone?” Yes, of course. The list goes on. That’s why we are called to be like Christ and extend grace to others, just as He has extended grace to us.

To wrap up that “God-moment” with the kids, I suggested the better approach would be to pray for that driver – asking that the Lord be with her, and to heal whatever situation she was facing.  So today, I challenge you…next time you are in line at the grocery store, and someone is rude, extend grace to them – instead of being frustrated, share an encouraging word. They too are a child of God and may be in desperate need of Christ-like grace.

Prayer:  Lord, thank You for the grace that You extend to us every day. Thank You for Your forgiveness and Your Son. Help us to bite our tongues, not to judge and to show mercy to one another each day. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.