Law-the only way to do something. The right way. No other way can work.
Stick to the rules. We live in a society that is much like this, and more often than not we are controlled by the rules of others. Of course, some rules protect us, while some rules protect those around us. They keep order.
But,
Sometimes, rules need to be broken.
Sometimes, a circumstance arrives that we don't expect.
Sometimes, we need a little grace.
Grace-gettng what we don't deserve. Loving beyond the rules.
Grace is when we give up our rules and we extend something undeserved. Several years ago, our business was struggling and I had sent something back to a company. Weeks after I sent it back, they continued to bill me. I called every day to see if they received it. Finally, after a few months, I got a woman on the phone who listened to me. I told her when I sent it, that I didn't track it and now it was missing. The item was costly and we didn't have the money at that time to replace what was lost. Patiently, the woman on the other end said simply, "don't worry about it, I'll take care of it." At that moment, a huge burden was lifted and I hung up the phone with tears streaming down my face. This was a company who wanted their product back and I was a consumer claiming I had returned it. There was no tracking, no confirmation that it was sent and it was her word against mine. Whether or not she believed me didn't matter but she extended grace in my time of need. She broke the rules.
Grace-gettng what we don't deserve. Loving beyond the rules.
Grace is when we give up our rules and we extend something undeserved. Several years ago, our business was struggling and I had sent something back to a company. Weeks after I sent it back, they continued to bill me. I called every day to see if they received it. Finally, after a few months, I got a woman on the phone who listened to me. I told her when I sent it, that I didn't track it and now it was missing. The item was costly and we didn't have the money at that time to replace what was lost. Patiently, the woman on the other end said simply, "don't worry about it, I'll take care of it." At that moment, a huge burden was lifted and I hung up the phone with tears streaming down my face. This was a company who wanted their product back and I was a consumer claiming I had returned it. There was no tracking, no confirmation that it was sent and it was her word against mine. Whether or not she believed me didn't matter but she extended grace in my time of need. She broke the rules.
I could tell countless items when a friend extended grace to me, but I, myself, struggle when my expectations are let down. But with grace, we assume the best in others and we live a life more selflessly than before. We overlook the situation and love on those around us. When we love others, grace is easy.
Grace. Something undeserved. Something we all need from time to time.
“Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 NIV
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