Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Grace Talking about living to a higher standard and I find myself stuck where it all began.
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Gracious. Now I like this word. No, this word is reserved for people who recognize that they are privileged to receive what they have been given. Or as Fred Craddock once said, "The final act of grace is graciousness." So what is a gracious person?
A gracious person is slow to take credit and quick to lavish praise. A gracious person never seeks to embarrass another. Humiliating another is not in this person’s vocabulary. (And please don’t say something that humiliates another and then try to escape responsibility by saying, "I was only joking.")
A gracious person is always thanking others. Do you go through an entire day without thanking another? A gracious person doesn’t monopolize the conversation. Someone else has something to offer.
A gracious person doesn’t try to play one-upmanship. (That’s nothing, you should have seen what I did!") A gracious person pays attention to people. Sometimes people come away from such conversations saying, "He made me feel like I was the most important person at that moment."
A gracious person desires to say what is appropriate. He doesn’t just say what is on his mind or whatever he might be thinking. (There is no redeeming value in emptying one’s mind of whatever fleeting thought has happened to land at the moment.)
A gracious person looks out for the comfort of others. "Would you like a cup of coffee? What about a coke? Can I get you a newspaper while I’m out?"
A gracious person looks for the good. Maybe you are visiting a friend who lives in another place. Instead of pointing out the inadequacies of your friend’s community, you are constantly finding things that are good. "This cafe has outstanding peach pie! That was delicious." "I just love the way you have planted your garden. It is beautiful!"
I believe that in so many of us, there is a genuine hunger to experience the beauty of graciousness. After all, this is nothing more than grace lived out. And — that grace originates in the heart of God.'
- Jim Martin
‘You named me Grace not because I’m any closer to one graceful being
But because You know that I need Your grace so much more than ever
Whenever my name is called, it’s a reminder that Your grace is enough
Whenever my name is sung, it’s a reminder that I can’t live without You
Because I need Your grace every now and then
And it is because of Your grace that I am named
In You I am made complete
Today I've found my purpose once again
To You be all glory and power for ever and ever
Amen’Bless all the Graces of this world!
4:13 PM
