Good Morning and Happy Monday!
I hope your weekend was relaxing, as you need to save your energy for the Super Bowl this weekend! My condolences to those whose favorite teams didn’t make the cut. It’s those disappointments in life that give us pause for space and grace.
We sometimes use the terms space and grace interchangeably. I believe they have similarities, but the essence of each word holds a very different meaning. We use them so often that the true significance of each word gets lost in the arbitrary usage.
Space is something we offer as a means of creating distance. Frequently, our meaning is honorable in allowing our friend, colleague, or family member time to think through a situation or challenge. We do this not to push them away but to help them contemplate the best way to proceed. Sometimes we take that space for ourselves. But, sadly, sometimes, we use it as a means to walk away.
I appreciate the following quote:
On the other hand, grace is something we use to create nearness. We extend grace to those we hold in high regard and whose life interweaves with ours. We want the best for them and use this as a means to invite them into a deeper level of love and understanding.
We can extend grace to ourselves, too, when we choose not to use that bat we carry around in our back pocket to beat ourselves about the head and shoulders. It’s an act of violence toward ourselves when we criticize our actions and thoughts unmercifully. If God, by whatever name you call Him, gives us grace for even the worst of offenses, we need to take a serious look at how we treat ourselves.
Here’s a beautiful reminder about grace:
Scripture is replete with verses about grace. Here are a few:
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11 (NKJV)
“And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Acts 20:32 (ESV)
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV)
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9a (NKJV)
And here’s the really cool part. Things change when we employ both a positive and thoughtful use of space with a firm understanding of grace. Our joy returns, we’re more tolerant and willing to help others, and we take time to understand our shortcomings. Moreover, these extra moments of space and grace give us pause to practice kindness to others and ourselves, both of whom could use some extra affection and consideration.
This week, take some time to experience space and grace for yourself. Then, try a little of the same on someone important to you. After that, offer space and extend grace to someone who’s challenging to you. I’m sure it’ll be a fun experiment with some positive results!
Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda
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