I have a clean driving record yet have been pulled over a few times. Each time, I know I deserve a ticket but for some reason, I am waived on. Years ago, I had returned a credit card machine from our business to the company and they never received it. As a result, they charged us a significant amount of money for the product. Because I hadn't mailed it with a delivery receipt, they had every right to charge me. When I called the woman on the phone, she apparently heard the stress in my voice and waived the fee.
Interestingly enough, as much as I have received grace, I have not always given it freely. In fact, I am a rule follower and have thought that anyone who didn't follow the rules deserved what they got. If your assignment is late, you get docked points; if you speed; you get a ticket; pay late, pay a fee; you get the point.
In the last year, I have come to realize that grace changes everything. Accepting God's grace has given me the freedom to love others more and appreciate those around me for who they are. For many years, a situation I had thought had been buried and let go, continued to resurface. Trying to forget it wasn't working so I had to face it, forgive it and extend grace on the situation. Over and over, every time I forgive and extend grace, more peace comes. Letting go of what I think is "fair" has inevitably made a difference in my attitude towards others. Grace is a "gift that brings joy" and I finally feel that joy. We all make mistakes and even hurt each other deeply, but if we continue to hold a grudge or want others to pay for what they did, we will never experience true joy. Accepting grace and extending grace closes gaps in relationships and allows you to have the freedom to love more fully and live the very good life.
amen
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