My list is long as I walk into the grocery store. Many of the items are not available; I have a small amount of frustration. As I continue to walk and move the grocery cart through the isles, someone cuts me off or is standing in the way; they apologize; I say, "it's ok," yet I'm frustrated. Finally, when I'm ready to check out, the line is long, and I have to wait, I get frustrated. As I'm waiting in line, I wonder why these things bring me frustration. Maybe I didn't get enough sleep the night before, or perhaps I'm stressed over something, or maybe I need more patience, or maybe, just maybe, I need to extend grace. In a recent conversation with a group of friends, one of the women said she always says a prayer before she walks into the grocery store to help her from getting frustrated. Hearing this made me realize that I'm not the only one that feels this frustration.
Extending grace is essential in our relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and yes, even at the grocery store. We may wonder, how can we extend grace? I'm sharing some thoughts and Bible verses that can help us along the way as we extend grace:
- Prayer-just as my friend said, she prays before she walks into the grocery store, we can pray for God to help us with extending grace. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen" 1 Thessalonians 5:28
- Forgiveness-when someone has done something or said something to us: it can be challenging to practice forgiveness. I struggle with this as well. God, by His example, has extended forgiveness to us. "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32
- Practice kindness-simple acts of kindness-holding the door for others, calling someone you haven't talked to for a while, donating clothes, these are all positive things that can bring a blessing to others. Maybe you have some ideas as well."Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;" -Romans 12:10
- Positive words-the words we say to others can be helpful or hurtful. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14
Let us pray together,
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come to You now and ask for Your help to extend grace to others as You extend grace to us.
We thank You for the love that You have for us.
In the name of Jesus, we pray,
Amen
With love,
Patty
