Passing on the Grace of God | Matthew 7:3-5

Almost daily, I wake up feeling like I’m taking too long to create and launch the next assignment God has given to me. My heart is so passionate and excited about it, but my body and mind often feel tired and drained. As a single mom and entrepreneur, the day just seems to go by so fast, and most days, it feels like my energy drains even faster.

The assignment God gave me takes a lot of attention and brain power, so I keep putting it off for tomorrow. Then, when another day goes by and I didn’t work on it, I go to my Father and thank Him for his grace. I really need His grace. My delayed obedience tugs at my heart daily, but His grace is so good, that I rise each day and still have a deep passion for the assignment. He didn’t give up on me or choose someone else, and I am immensely grateful.

One morning, it clicked. God has bestowed such undeserved grace on me, and I need to show that same grace to others. My heart was so convicted.

Sometimes, we get so frustrated with others (especially loved ones) when they fall short, show ignorance (lack of knowledge), or hypocritical traits. That frustration can so easily turn into judgment when we forget how much grace we, ourselves, need and have been given on a daily basis.

“And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

We all have specks and planks in our eyes. It’s so easy to see the speck in someone else’s eye (their sin, disobedience, hypocrisy, etc.), yet at the same time, forget that we, too, are falling short in some way(s).

Now this doesn’t mean that we have to be perfect before we encourage another in the Lord or share the Word of God with them. But it does mean that we need to change our heart posture towards others.

If someone frustrates you - show grace. If someone is making you late - show grace. If someone responds with an attitude - show grace. If someone forgets something important - show grace. If someone says something that feels disrespectful - show grace. If someone [fill in the blank] - show grace. Grace is merciful kindness.

“And be kind  and compassionate  to one another, forgiving  one another, just as God also forgave you  in Christ.” Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭32‬

What I do know, is that God’s Will will be done, and it’s not dependent on people being perfect. So if someone does something that “appears” to set you back, show grace. It didn’t set you back. The Bible says to focus on the unseen and not the seen. So even though it appears that you’re delayed or displaced (the seen), your spirit of grace and love towards them (the unseen) is what really matters and has lasting effect.

“So we do not focus on what is seen,  but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭CSB‬‬

God teaches us how we should show up in the world and interact with others, and we have to pay attention. He shows us merciful kindness in our daily lives despite how we fall short. We must show merciful kindness to others.

Sis, dad, grandma, my baby boy Kamden, and me - on my sister’s birthday.