When was the last time you gave grace?

I know this is a subject that you won't find discussed much by televangelists or sadly by pastors in the pulpit but the question remains; When was the last tine you gave grace? I only ask because as I examine my life I have a horrible imbalance of grace in my life....and I'm sure when you peruse your past life experiences you cannot deny that you share my predicament.

One of my favorite hobbies is to find the little ironies in life and the "Grace Imbalance" is one of the great ironies of life. Example---->Road Rage<---- we are absolutely furious when we are cut off on the highway, or if we aren't allow to merge, or if the person in front of us is actually driving the speed limit or a host of other things HOWEVER if for some reason we have to cut someone of to reach Oor exit OR are driving the below the speed limit because We are texting or having a phone malfunction OR if We don't let someone merge because we are in a hurry then We become indignant to the point where Rage makes us say and/or do things that are completely unneccessary, especially considering the other driver is probably ignoring us. We expect grace but are loathe to offer it.

So what does that make us? The answer is ungrateful. If we were really apprecaitive, if we really valued the unmerited and undeserved mercy, favor and forgiveness that we receive on a daily basis then we would be mindful to offer that same grace to others. When you humble yourself to admit that you NEED grace...and YES you Do NEED GRACE...then you can understand how much of a gift it is and how much everyone needs grace. What greater gift could you give this holiday season than Grace? To forgive someone that DOES NOT deserve your forgiveness, to show mercy to someone who you have caught with their pants down and red handed, to do something for someone they desperately need but will never know it was you that did it. Grace!!!

And if you need motivation to give more grace than you are currently giving...then think about the grace embodied in the event of Christmas; think about the grace that covers your imperfections, think about the grace in the form of forgiveness or mercy that you have received from the policeman that stops you for speeding but doesn't give you a ticket or the significant other that loves you when you are completely unlovable, or the friend that remains your friend even though devalued, discarded or destroyed the friendship. Grace!!!

There is absolutely no way for us to make the "Grace Imbalance" 50-50 but we can certainly try and make the world a better place in the process.