Sharon learns a lesson :)

Hi all. You may have seen my post from last week where I had a little rant about grace and forgiveness after attending bible study.

Weeeellllll. I have just arrived home from our second study on the topic of grace. And, would you believe, that I've discovered this is all a bit of a lesson for me, yes I know it's amazing isn't it. You go to bible study to learn stuff. Who would have thought?

Anyway, as I sat listening to the same person dispute something that Philip Yancey said I remained open to what he was saying and really listened. I then discovered that he wasn't disputing at all, just trying to clarify and understand for himself. To "unlearn" as he put it. Well, that knocked me right off my little soap box. Reality check. Wasn't my little rant of last week a tad judgemental? Maybe. Was I extending the same love and grace toward him that I demand he extend to the wider community? I think not. Did I really listen to him, and try to understand his point of view. Not at all.

So, grace is the point here isn't it. I need to stop blaming others for what has gone wrong in my life. Stop demanding a fair go (even though it's positively unAustralian to not demand a "fair go") and extend love, forgiveness and grace to everyone. Because all the while I was getting hot under the collar, spitting the dummy and getting all self righteous what I was really doing was withholding grace. Loving conditionally.

That is what is so amazing about grace isn't it. It's unconditional. All we have to do is ask. That's it. No catch, it's that simple.

Lord, help me to be more gracious in my life. I know I'm not capable of showing grace and compassion on my own but I also know that you can do it through me. I pray that I can let this happen Lord, that I can feel your love flow through me and let it reach those who need it.