The Gift of Grace

Have you ever made a mistake and had someone get upset with you?  You are left feeling empty and regretful, yet you didn’t mean to do it.
 
In my early twenties, I walked into the main office of my new apartment ready to drop off rent.  Long story short I forgot my wallet, which was going to make me late paying my first month’s rent and deposit.  I felt horrible.  This was not how I wanted my first impression to go.  I was going to live there for crying out loud!
 
The woman, whom managed the place, paused to look at me and said with a smile, “Sweetie, if this is the worse thing that happens today we are all in pretty good shape.” 
 
I immediately exhaled and smiled back.  “So, true. Thank you.”  I said and left at ease.
 
Grace is one of the best things we can both receive and give to another stressed out human being, or to our stressed-out self.  Grace fills up both the giver and receiver, bringing ease into stressful situations.
 
I now love giving the gift of grace wherever I go.   Today the dental receptionist messed up my appointment so I missed a very much needed, overdue teeth cleaning. 
 
Instead of getting upset, I chose to pass the gift to her, “If this is the worse thing that happens today we are all in pretty good shape.”  I could feel her immediately soften and let herself off the hook.  “Oh my gosh thank you.” She said.  I smiled.  We rescheduled.
 
For grasping grace in your life, consider: 
How would the world be a brighter place with grace readily available whenever we needed it?  In what ways would you like to start giving grace to others?  In what ways can you give more grace to yourself? How do you give grace to your clients, customers, friends, family or strangers?
 
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Laurel Inman, PCC
Founder / Senior Faculty at IICT