Every once in a while I stop with awe to consider the fact that God’s love for us can’t be earned. Even more amazing is the fact that He loves us completely, wholly, abundantly, without condition, even though He knows us better than we know ourselves– the best in us, the worst in us, and everything in between.

Lately I’ve been asking myself what kind of love and grace I offer others. Does my grace have strings attached, or is it freely — really and truly — freely given, just as the grace, love, forgiveness, and mercy, God gives me is freely given?

Too often I get caught up the everyday busyness of life and find I need to stop, set aside time, and ask God to illumine those areas of my heart that still need work (and oh my goodness, there are so many!)  It seems to me that  just as a pilot has a checklist to go through before taking off on a flight, I need to have a daily check list to line up my heart with God’s.  (Or attempt to as best a flawed-but-being-saved-day-by-day-by-His-grace  human being can!)  Here are some of the questions I’ve been asking myself:

Is the grace I offer to others based on condition (such as expecting the other person to measure up to some sort of standard)? Or do I offer the kind of grace — to the best of my human ability — that God offers me? Do I extend love without reservation? Do I treasure and respect — not judge — the uniqueness of another? Do I understand that the actions and words of another may come from a place of deep pain, and do I offer prayers for that person along with words of understanding and love?

What a different world it would be if we could look at each other with eyes of compassion, forgiving before being asked to forgive, acting with unexpected compassion, extending love and grace without reserve … withholding judgment because none of us can know everything about another person’s story.

Oh Lord, let such a world begin with me!

When I was in college a favorite religion and philosophy professor would sometimes sing this gospel song during chapel. Each time I think of God’s grace,  I can almost hear him — Ruben Welch — raise his voice in song.

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

How I need that kind of grace, strength, mercy, and peace in my life today! And how I pray that  I can give the same grace, without boundaries or measure, to others.

With all love, joy, and peace …