Extra Grace Required

Recently, co-facilitating a women's bible study group I encountered someone that I was just unsure of from the get-go. This woman seemed to be just a little bit different and that was clear from the start. She seemed more critical, more determined to be heard and not so easy to embrace. Our study was scheduled for only six weeks, so I thought to myself that I can handle anything for a brief six weeks.

Brief it was! Over the six weeks the dynamics and the number of this group changed like the ocean tides ebb and flow. Our room location changed after a few weeks. We lost some women due to conflicting fall activities with their children. We moved the tables around to make things a little more cohesive in this group.

Each week our EGR* woman returned and each week she required less and less grace. Each week I and others prayed for this group and I prayed for my part in it. Each week my grip on this group was less and my expectations and ideals were changed; our walls went down just a few bricks more and our care and love increased. I knew that what was happening now and what would happen through the weeks to come was God's work. I was just here to share His smile, His touch and love as it was shared back to me.

We all meet EGR people. Maybe we're related as parent to child, husband to wife or sister to brother. Maybe we have to work side by side with an EGR person day after day. Maybe, at times, I'M the EGR person unbeknownst to me!

All I know is through life we may need or be the person that requires extra grace. If I want God to extend His grace to me, I must give grace to others. I'm learning to accept the things (or people) that I cannot change (and I can't nor is it my job to change anyone) and the WISDOM to know the difference.

Our EGR person became more beautiful as the weeks went by. Her smile was brighter, her words less edgy and her wall was gone. Hopefully, I reflected the very same results back to her.

*EGR and Extra Grace Required belong to Leadership Expert John Maxwell*
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10 comments:

Lou said...

Sweet Laura, it you can't break down someone's wall, nobody can.

J-Online said...

It's interesting to see how things change when we ourselves change. Great story.

Pammie said...

Excellent. I know exactly what I needed to read in this post. thanks.

indistinct said...

Sometimes I need EGR with others, sometimes others need EGR with me, and sometimes I need EGR with me.

Having love and compassion for others, caring for the person in front of me as my Higher Power cares for me, is how I conceive of Gods will for me. Somehow, I do get extra grace for others. I am thankful for that.

Wait. What? said...

Let it begin with me... so much easier said than done tho!

Cat

Syd said...

Isn't it great to see how people change when they let go of their fears. I'm glad that the study went well and that the woman enjoyed it.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you handled everything beautifully! I myself have been praying about accepting things that I cannot change.

Be Blessed!

One Prayer Girl said...

These thoughts were beautifully posted. I think I get it. I love the idea of EGR. I am going to put this in my spiritual tool kit.

Thanks!

Syd said...

Laura, almost all the photos on the posts are mine. There are several that aren't though. I decided it was just too plain and wanted to add a photo to the header. Glad that you like it.

Anonymous said...

I have found this to be true with some of the people that attend my Alanon group.

Nice how that works. ;o)