"How Graceful Are You?"
A few weeks ago I was driving just west of Wadsworth on Quincy (one of the main streets in Denver) when I spotted it—that familiar white hood on the bald eagle. He was perched in a large tree on the south side of Quincy looking over the large open space east of the federal prison. I always marvel when I see these majestic birds and I slowed down so I could spend a little more time admiring this beautiful bird. I continued on my way, grateful for the rare opportunity I had to spot one of these birds.
Imagine my delighted surprise then, when on Tuesday of the following week I was driving east on Quincy in almost the same spot and saw what was probably this same bird wheeling through the sky over the open space below. I was in absolute awe as this large, beautiful bird majestically circled through the sky scanning the field below. Once again I slowed down and noted as I did so that another car had completely pulled over to the side of the road to witness this breath-taking sight.
As I spent a few too-brief seconds watching this scene played out in the sky above me, I wondered at the grace that this eagle displayed as he soared through the heavens.
A question came to mind after I had witnessed this display. How graceful am I?
No, I’m not thinking of agility—that seems to be lessening as my age increases! Instead what I wondered was simply this: I want to experience grace in my own life, but how much grace am I willing to extend to others who have hurt me? Thus the question: How graceful am I?
May I just admit up front that this is an area of my life where I sometimes struggle. The struggle seems to be in proportion to the extent to which I sense I’ve been hurt. The relatively small wrong is easier to forgive than the great wrong that I feel has been foisted upon me. It’s in times such as these when I have to ask myself a very tough question: How much do I truly believe in grace?
Oh, I believe in grace as it applies to my wrongdoings. I’m happy to revel in the knowledge of God’s grace extended to me for my weaknesses. But the story takes a different turn when I have to think about extending grace to one who I perceive to have wronged me.
Take a few minutes today to read the story found in Luke 7:36-50. Reflect on the point that Jesus makes in this incident and then answer the question: How graceful are you?
Imagine my delighted surprise then, when on Tuesday of the following week I was driving east on Quincy in almost the same spot and saw what was probably this same bird wheeling through the sky over the open space below. I was in absolute awe as this large, beautiful bird majestically circled through the sky scanning the field below. Once again I slowed down and noted as I did so that another car had completely pulled over to the side of the road to witness this breath-taking sight.
As I spent a few too-brief seconds watching this scene played out in the sky above me, I wondered at the grace that this eagle displayed as he soared through the heavens.
A question came to mind after I had witnessed this display. How graceful am I?
No, I’m not thinking of agility—that seems to be lessening as my age increases! Instead what I wondered was simply this: I want to experience grace in my own life, but how much grace am I willing to extend to others who have hurt me? Thus the question: How graceful am I?
May I just admit up front that this is an area of my life where I sometimes struggle. The struggle seems to be in proportion to the extent to which I sense I’ve been hurt. The relatively small wrong is easier to forgive than the great wrong that I feel has been foisted upon me. It’s in times such as these when I have to ask myself a very tough question: How much do I truly believe in grace?
Oh, I believe in grace as it applies to my wrongdoings. I’m happy to revel in the knowledge of God’s grace extended to me for my weaknesses. But the story takes a different turn when I have to think about extending grace to one who I perceive to have wronged me.
Take a few minutes today to read the story found in Luke 7:36-50. Reflect on the point that Jesus makes in this incident and then answer the question: How graceful are you?
3 comments:
Thanks for your "blog". I have read the last couple and enjoyed the short message. Both have given me pause to think.
Hope you and yours are doing well.
Earlene W
Your blog this past week could not have come at a better time . . . Thank you!
This is great info to know.
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