grace

Today's challenge is to write about 3 startling graces of God.
Let's start with two definitions.

startling:

[more startling; most startling] : very surprising, shocking, or frightening

grace (one of many definitions):

3 [noncount] a : help or kindness that God gives or shows to people

I think one of the most surprising kindnesses that God shows to people is represented by Christmas:  the fact that God would love us so much that He would send His son to earth as a helpless baby to show humans His love.  That's a startling grace of God!

That He loves me so much that He cares about even the small, seemingly insignificant things of my life: like the fact that for years I prayed that the next place where Kevin would pastor would also be near water, and here we are on an island!

That He has so much patience with me when I doubt, worry, fret, try to take control of situations.... He's always there guiding and loving me.

Speaking of grace.... today Kevin and I were having a conversation and he was remembering an elderly gentleman from where we used to live.  Kevin would often ask him for advice about different situations he would encounter in the church. This wise old man would always start his answer with 'just give people the grace they need... err on the side of grace'.  Wow, what words of wisdom.  How often are we so quick to judge or condemn or question someone's actions or motives.  We need to give them the grace they need, just like we appreciate it when someone shows us grace and doesn't jump to quick conclusions or condemnations of our actions.  

Just give people the grace they need.  Err on the side of grace.