While driving in traffic.
When you’re right, but they don’t know it.
On your birthday.
In your area of expertise.
When you’re running late.
When they’re doing it wrong.
While pregnant.
When you’re overlooked.
When the telemarketer calls.
At the DMV.
I know that grace is far more than biting my tongue when I want to lash out, more than not saying mean things, more than tolerating someone who is intolerable, more than just being nice, more than a tight-lipped patience. Grace is extending more than what is deserved and that never starts with me. Because that? Is impossible.
If I really believe this grace changes everything, then the secret to a life transformed is simple – receive the grace given to you in abundance, then pour it out on everything. And it isn’t fake, this outpouring of grace in the midst of the impossible. Being a hypocrite is not acting contrary to how you feel. Being a hypocrite is acting contrary to who you are. In Christ, you are graceful. Even when you don’t feel like it.
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them — yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”
1 Corinthians 15:10
Receiving it for me–a constant struggle. The key to really making a difference. Though, truly, it isn’t about me like you said–it’s Who we are. Period.
For the moments when we’re misunderstood.
When the child demands more time than we planned for.
When our groom is in a mood that we weren’t prepared for.
The incessant fundraisers.
Waiting at the doctor’s office.
The muscles tight and aching for rest…
Amy Hunt´s last [type] ..the importance of evaluating your days
When I just cleaned the kitchen floor and someone walks in with mud on their shoes.
When I prepare dinner and everyone is late.
When I am tired and want to go to bed, but my adult child wants to talk…so I stay up.
But, then again as previously mentioned…it isn’t all about ME!
Thanks, Emily, for a great reminder
Mary´s last [type] ..He is in charge…
The tele marketer yes – especially the ones you KNOW are selling a scam! And the heavily accented telephone banking person who doesn’t speak English and is continents away you have to keep repeating the same information to in the hope they’ll understand eventually. And the thing is they always sound so gracious and patient! What’s DMV by the way? X
Department of Motor Vehicles. Be thankful that you don’t know it. It’s where drivers licenses are born and inspiration goes to die. It is long lines and florescent lights and all things patient-trying.
They won’t be rushing to you to write their advertising copy then…;)
No, no they won’t.
Girl, I am a mother of 14 yo twin girls. Every day. Every moment. Though I find I am far more of a recipient.
Maggie S.´s last [type] ..Pick: A Young Man’s Guide to Love
My twin girls are 8. I can’t imagine them at 14.
On the _______ Committee at church. Fill in the blank!
When adult children move home. With their spouse. And dog or child.
I can’t think of anything to compare with the 14 year old twin girls, though. Peace to you!
When you’re falsely accused.
When your toes get stepped on.
When someone forgets you.
When your 4yo tries to help clean and just makes things dirtier.
When your husband brings you greasy food right before your Weight Watchers weigh-in.
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect´s last [type] ..Where’s my trophy?
Did I really just type “you’re” for “your”? Ugh. I blame the early (for me) hour. Also? I’m adding to my list:
When a proofreader makes a horrible typo.
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect´s last [type] ..Where’s my trophy?
You never have to correct your typos in my comments, Mary. I don’t even see them. But in this case – didn’t you use it right the first time?
The opportunities to display grace are unceasing…especially on Facebook! LOL
Mary Lauren @My 3 Little Birds´s last [type] ..Object Permanence
Wow. It is so amazing to me how God has used your blog to speak perfectly into the situations I have been going through these past few months. And thank you for the reminder today, I needed it.
Ashley G´s last [type] ..Thankfulness
Another opportunity, that I don’t always take, when dealing with that person we see in the mirror…
Holly´s last [type] ..This is a test. . .
i SECOND that motion, holly!
so. very. TRUE.
tanya@truthinweakness´s last [type] ..for when trying is utterly futile
Thank you for the definition of a hypocrite. It is so true that at times I must choose to act in a way contrary to my feelings. Only by the grace of God. Also the DMV made me laugh. Apparently you have been to the one in Wichita. I need to take my 14 yr old to get her permit and the thought of going conjures up many emotions, one of them was not grace until today
“. . . and that never starts with me. Because that? Is impossible.”
ah yes, i’ve been thinking about the impossible lately, too. and the simplicity of the gospel — that i am entirely incapable of living out this journey called the christian life.
but Christ! . . . He indwells ready, willing, & more than able to do all things and BE all things in and through me. all things good. gloriously good!
thank you, as always, for your refreshing reminders of His liberating truths.
tanya@truthinweakness´s last [type] ..for when trying is utterly futile
You became my facebook status today. Just a quote from your post. Which I can’t paste here cuz it won’t let me.
But I love you for writing it.
Sandy
Sandy Cooper´s last [type] ..If I Could Ask One Thing of God Today
thank you for this beautiful reminder today- to be a dispenser of grace!! we freely we have received, freely we will give!
Charissa Steyn´s last [type] ..something’s coming up!
Grace to be who you are and being confindent in that woman because of He who dwells within.
Blessing on you!
Diane Bailey´s last [type] ..FALL UP STAIRS
When you can’t meet the deadline (extend grade to yourself).
The parking lot at church.
To the inlaws.
At Wal-Mart.
At Disney World.
To a classroom full of undergraduates who are all texting.
Holly B@ Found on a Friday´s last [type] ..Family
lol! dont’ extend “grade” – no, extend grace, extend grade is the opposite – ha!
Holly B@ Found on a Friday´s last [type] ..Family
Hi! Please email me, I have a question for you!
Hi Heather – if you are indeed a real human person and not a spamming robot, feel free to contact me with your question – at the nav bar at the top, scroll over ‘meet emily’ and click on ‘contact’.
when you long to be part of the group and they don’t see
when they get the order wrong for the second time
when elderly parents repeat the same story – yet again
when grown children reject your “wisdom” and it turns out all wrong
Linda´s last [type] ..Choices
When you’ve asked your hubby to fix something 2 million times, and he’s still forgotten…
Amy Sullivan´s last [type] ..Penning Love
Hmmm…yes. How true. The times when you feel like everyone around you is doing nothing, and you are doing all. Yes, the times when no one else seems to care – when you are being subconsciously ignored. When you ask a million times and still no one seems to hear – yet He hears. Give us grace, Lord, give us grace.
Blessings,
Lexie N.
Lexie N.´s last [type] ..“Posy” is up in the Shop!
YES! thanks for the beautiful reminder!
Jess´s last [type] ..stepping carefully
When my two adult children come home on college breaks
When my computer freezes
When a slow driver not doing the speed limit is in front of me
When I am doing the speed limit and someone is pushing on my fender
When people throw cigarette butts out their car window or throw them on sidewalks
When people wait until the light is green and toss their garbage out of their car door
I think I will start here and not have a list a mile long
oh, yes the DMV … and those sweet little hands holding the flower to sign up for emails (now she’s gripping a cel phone) … makes me want to subscribe to your site all over again!
amanda´s last [type] ..living simply
I love what you say about hypocrisy. I so appreciate that truth, too, that grace never starts with me. Amen! I must say, Emily, that your words are like where sky and spirit meet ground and action (and a good measure of surrender). Thank you for speaking in your true, grace-filled voice.
Ashley´s last [type] ..Mother labor, mother art
“your words are like where sky and spirit meet ground and action”
I love the way you said that! It’s so perfectly accurate.
Jennifer Dawn McLucas´s last [type] ..Today
Emily, thank you for your post. There is this one grace-SUCKER-DOWNER-VORTEX-BLACKHOLE co-worker of mine. and I wonder, “Lord, why is it so hard for me to love her or, even less, show her some grace?” thank you for helping describe the very kind of acceptance with which I’d like to apply when dealing with my coworker. she has God’s love and grace fully extended to her from his Heart, so why not mine?
Jasper @ crunchylittlebites´s last [type] ..how to lose your patients in 10 seconds
Thanks for this post. I sure needed it today. It’s been ugly in my home, head and heart today.
Sarah´s last [type] ..We Have a Sink
This is beautiful, thank you Emily. I thank God that He inspires you, and blesses us through you. We all are uplifted, and you are the wonderful messenger.
A few ways I’ve been challenged in recent days to live out grace:
…at the airport when your flight is delayed and the customer service agents are tired.
…with a student, failing your class as they direct their anger towards you for their plagiarism
…in all things motherhood
Amy´s last [type] ..Define Yourself
When the brochure finally goes to the printer and the client decides *then* to make another change (yup, happened today. No, was not entirely graceful.)
Love your list, Emily.
Michelle DeRusha@Graceful´s last [type] ..I’m a Slow Loris
When you’re husband’s work hours are way too long.
Jennifer Dawn McLucas´s last [type] ..Today
When you are misunderstood
When you are waiting during a “short sale”
When you hear ugly words spoken about you
When one’s misstep hurts one you hold dear
Thank you for THIS today.
I REALLY NEEDED THE REMINDER….”when you’re right, and they don’t know it….”
Grace to still my achy heart
Lindsey van Niekerk´s last [type] ..Five Minute Friday: Tender in Grief
When two of your kids beg to ride in the race car buggy, only knowing they won’t stay in. You agree and by the end of the shopping trip you have a five year old and three year old hanging from the side…while managing to push this monster of a buggy and keep the one year old seated. Oh did I mention the other shoppers looking at you with pity?;)
ah. I love love LOVE your words. I want to curl up in them and wrap them around me like a cozy blanket and take a nap
I am definitely learning how to receive grace. I still feel like a hypocrit a lot of the time. It’s a tough concept for a fellow good-girl! less work, more grace.
I find that I need to extend grace most with those who have wronged me or those I love! My heart wants to close off or retaliate.. but grace is the better option
Caitlin´s last [type] ..FMF: Vivid
This ministered to me so much, Emiily. Too often I arm-wrestle grace into the ground and demand all that justice and vengeance. It’s time to start being a superhero
.
I was doing fine rating myself on your grace list until I came to telemarketers; then not so good. I think I’m rude to them because I feel like they’ve invaded my sacred space (my house) and profaned it. I don’t yell or anything, but I do hang up on them sometimes. I need to remember that they’re REAL people just doing a job (even though it’s an obnoxious one, to me).
debbie bailey´s last [type] ..Pat Conroy and His Cookbook
…when your toddler throws a tantrum and wakes your sleeping newborn, resulting in two screaming children. i wish i could have had more grace at that moment this morning.
Hello! I just began reading your blog and I really love this post (although I’m not sure how gracious I can be at the DMV!) Anyway, here are some opportunities I’ve had recently to exercise grace:
When that friend just won’t stop complaining.
When that coworker insists she can do it better.
When the husband, through no fault of his own, has to work late.
When you’re creating a budget with that same husband.
Or doing DIY and home improvement projects with him.
Marie´s last [type] ..The God We Are Uncomfortable With: Part 2
…When two young boys refuse to nap…
)
…When your husband eats all the leftovers… (why is this one so hard for me?!
…When your 3 year old poops his pants…again.
Emily, so blessed by your willingness to share your stories of breathing grace in and out in the everyday stuff.
SO so so true…it is so easy just to put on the smile and not fight back…..and to come away feeling all good about that…but giving MORE than deserved and it coming from my own place of grace, as an overflow of everything I have been given….and not just because I am trying to be a “Jesus Girl”……
thank you so much for the reminder of this……
Suzin Brenton-Kelly´s last [type] ..fears conquered…
AMEN and AMEN and AMEN sister!!!!
When someone forgets to say “Thank You”
When someone talks about you behind your back
When you are misunderstood and not given the chance to explain
When someone takes advantage of you, uses you, manipulates you
LIFE is just ONE big opportunity to live out GRACE – God is so good, all the time!! Because of HIS Grace, I am.
I loved this post. I thought about it all week. What a refreshing way to look at the world. Thanks Emily:)