grace

I've been thinking a lot about grace lately. God has given me so much grace. He's forgiven me so many things - "big" sins and "small" sins. But do I forgive others? Do I let things slide off my back?

I don't. I hold grudges and get hurt...sometimes pretty easily. It doesn't help that I am sometimes paranoid - think people are talking about me, think someone is mad at me (when they aren't necessarily). I think it stems from a self-esteem issue (who doesn't have some of that on board?).

But I'm trying. I'm trying to extend some of God's given grace.

To my husband who can irritate me as easily as he can make me laugh.
To my children who don't mean to make me upset, but do.
To my extended family who drives me insane sometimes more often than not.
To my friends who do a variety of things that are unintentional (not answer phone calls or emails, not setting up play dates, not visiting, not including) because we all get wrapped up in our own lives.

I apologize (to those few whom know me in real life because I don't think I've held grudges against my bloggy friends - so much easier to extend grace to those you A. don't really know and B. only see the best of) if I haven't extended you grace. I hope you know that I love you, even when I'm judging or being hurt. I am trying to give you the grace I have received from our Father.

Do you extend grace or hold in grudges?

Comments

I tend to hold grudges too sometimes... Thanks for reminding me that God's grace is bigger! :)
Extending grace can be a process...praise God that he gives his more freely than we give ours!
Theresa said…
I can relate. I would much rather be a grace extender than a grudge holder. My flesh fights to hold a grudge, but it is so much better to let it go.
Anonymous said…
Wow, you really hit home with this one! I used to be terrible about holding grudges and having low self esteem but I believe, that finally, I am seeing some healing in those areas. It's a process, that's for sure.

Thanks for writing about this...I think more people do this than they would like to admit.

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