Day 6:
Frequently Give Grace: “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7
This one might be a game changer in our everyday lives. Actually, there’s no might about it. It is a game changer. Why? Because grace has a way of creating freedom and safety in relationships; of softening our tendencies to criticize and resent; of reminding us that we also are imperfect sinners in need of God’s tender mercies.
This thing called grace shows up in our relationships when we assume the best of the other person, rather than the worst. When we look for the beauty rather than the flaws. Isn’t that refreshing? Isn’t that what we would want someone to do for us? It’s easy to let our feelings of annoyance rise up when our expectations have not been met. The critical wheels in our minds can go from zero to sixty in no time flat.
But what if we paused.
What if we instead allowed for a gear shift in our thinking and in our posture towards one another? Undoubtedly, choosing to believe the best in others fosters peace. I can tell you with certainty that when I choose to assign a positive intention rather than a negative, I can feel the difference. Irritability is replaced with love and compassion. Resentment dissipates. When I view those around me in light of their strengths instead of focusing on their shortcomings, it’s a new game.
I challenge you and myself to let grace be our go-to rather than criticism. Of course there is a time to speak the truth in love, but let’s rethink our default settings. Let’s be generous benefactors of the grace so freely given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.
*For more on this topic as it relates to parenting, check out my previous blog post Grace in the Good Work of Parenting
nicolebyrum.com 
I love this series, Nicole! Good reminders!