Kristi Pennington

In a recent Bible study we talked a lot about grace. It’s because of God’s perfect grace that I am in a love relationship with Christ. John Stott says that “grace is love that cares and stoops and rescues.” Jesus certainly did that for me and that grace never stops.

God’s grace is a generous grace that keeps giving and giving. Because of this grace, I’m to be a grace bearer to others: family, friends, strangers. I love how Richard Blackaby describes grace in his book “Putting a Face on Grace”.

• Grace doesn’t insist on being right. It seeks to make things right.
• Grace doesn’t demand to be heard. It strives to listen and understand.
• Grace doesn’t claim its rights. It voluntarily lays them aside.
• Grace doesn’t look for wrongs. It seeks out what is right.
• Grace builds others up. It focuses on the positive, not the negative.
• Grace is willing to say, “I was wrong. Forgive me.” It forgives others, even if they never ask to be forgiven.

I think of the many people who extended grace to me during the last three years when struggles were deep and pain intense. I remember a counselor asking me what friend I had who would meet with me once a week to check on me and hear my heart. She knew what I needed! My pride didn’t want to ask that of someone, but I did, and she said yes. What grace she extended to me! What healing came through her listening presence, her love, her tender heart, and her words of hope. I think of so many others, family and friends, who were there for me through my sister’s illness and the loss of my mother. They consistently called or sent texts with words of songs, words from the Psalms, prayers, listening ears. Grace is active. Grace is willing to be inconvenienced. Grace is empowering. Grace is graciousness. Grace transforms. How I want to be a woman of grace! Lord, may I show grace to everyone in my life today. And, at the end of the day may I ask, “Where have I shown grace? Where was it lacking?” May I grow in Christ-likeness and never be satisfied until every part of my life is saturated with grace. Amen.