The Need for Grace: Grace is Our Ability to Extend Kindness in Our Community

I make mistakes. We all make mistakes (don’t we?). We all have moments where we fall short, utter the wrong words, or simply experience a bad day and hurt others.

On April 16^th, I brought some church signs to the discussion. Controversial signs stretched our thoughts and we all agreed that they were offensive. The question was asked, “Why would they put this on their sign?”

What I know, it’s easy to react with frustration or judgment. We are pretty good at judging ourselves and others.

But what would happen if we embraced a different approach? What if we didn’t get upset about the mistake? What if we made a conscious effort to share grace?

Jesus shared these words in Matthew 6, “if you don’t forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Grace goes beyond simple forgiveness.  It is about understanding, compassion, and offering a guiding hand when someone makes a mistake. It’s the recognition that everyone is on their own journey, and sometimes that journey takes unexpected turns.

Sharing grace fosters a powerful sense of connection. It creates a safe space where people feel comfortable admitting their imperfections. When we create a safe space we offer support.

So how do we, as members of God’s universal church cultivate a more grace-filled environment?

Instead of getting irritated by someone who seems out of touch or slower to grasp a concept, offer gentle encouragement and then provide support.

Instead of getting irritated, try to understand their perspective. There may be more to the perceived mistake than you are aware.

When we hold onto grudges it hurts our souls.

By sharing grace, we can create a ripple effect of kindness that extends beyond ourselves. Grace can foster a positive and supportive atmosphere. We are a community and we need to be reminded that we’re all part of something bigger than ourselves.

We need to commit to offering grace – to ourselves, to our friends, aquantenences, and to everyone we encounter. When we accomplish this we can build a compassionate and understanding world, one kind act at a time.