Grace

What if all editors gave unmeasured grace to every writer who submitted his or her work?  That would be an unkind kindness.  Readers everywhere would be deluged with atrocious articles or books, although there might be a spattering of good reading material.   Unmeasured grace would do no good to increase the author's writing skills.

What if reviews gushed on with how great all published books are?  Or, what if the reviews did the opposite - tore down every aspect of a book without adding something of valued to help the author learn the skills of the trade?  Such reviews would be devoid of any grace.

What if critique group members listened with nods and a lot of "uh-huhs" as authors read from their pages?  Or, what if they attacked the writer's piece with the frenzy of sharks at supper-time?  Where's the grace?  Where's the mercy?  Where's the compassion?

What makes God's grace so different?  Grace as defined by the Random House College Dictionary, Revised Edition, is: "The freely given, unmerited favor and love of God."  Why is God's undeserved kindness so important that it is mentioned one-hundred-seventy times in the Bible?  (Thirty-nine times in the Old Testament and one-hundred-thirty-one times in the New Testament, KJV)

One reason would be that God shows grace for our good, to build us up; not in pride, but in order that we would grow in our walk of faith, to persevere in our calling.

Although grace was manifested in the Old Testament, it was but a candle compared with the brightness of grace that appeared at the birth of Christ when God became flesh.  Titus 2:11 says, "For the grace of God appeared bringing salvation to all men."  That's not to say that all men are saved - only those who receive Jesus, who believe on His name.

So, what makes God's grace so different?  It is that the value of one who receives grace is measured by the worth of the One who gives grace.

Rita Kroon

How to Influence Others for a Lasting Impact

Most people never know the impact or the positive influence they may have on others.  I realized this in a most vivid way this past week. 

While in Arizona, I attend a Bible study held at the community center of the park where we stay.  The Bible study leader, Yvonne, was gracious with a warm, genuine smile, and a prayer life based on deep faith and conviction.  She and her husband have been motorcycle enthusiasts for many years. One day last weekend, they took a day trip to a town about sixty miles from our community.  With little warning, the back tire of their motorcycle blew out sending their cycle into an out-of-control wobbly spin.  Yvonne was thrown as well as was her husband.  She suffered severe head trauma, despite the fact that she was wearing a helmet, and multiple broken bones.  She was air-lifted to the nearest hospital, but died the next day without regaining consciousness.  Her husband survived intact.

I knew Yvonne for only a short time, but she impacted me with her graciousness and her love of the Savior in such a way that caused me to realize I fall way short of showing such love to to others, especially to strangers.

The week prior to Yvonne's death, my friend, Lola, my husband and I rode the rails from Mesa to the west side of Phoenix.  We were obvious newbies on the light rail.  Everyone who boarded at various stops, glanced around for an empty seat, and then immediately set their eyes and thumbs into electronic motion.  No one spoke to each other.  No one made eye contact.  No pleasantries.  Just people on their usual commute.

That night, I felt convicted that I did not make any effort to befriend anyone, to talk with another person, to validate another human being.  I missed a wonderful opportunity to show kindness to another.

After Yvonne's death, I was struck anew of her love for people and the ease and the grace with which she showed it to those around her.  Because she reflected Jesus' love in such a way that left a lasting impact on me, I determined to intentionally seek opportunities to show kindness to others, especially to strangers.  It is my hope that I too would be able to influence others as she did me.

What about you?  What kind of lasting impact or influence are you having on others?  Think of someone who left such an impression on your life and ask yourself: "How can I influence others for a lasting impression?"

Rita Kroon