“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40 NIV

 

I stumbled into the kitchen, weary from tending to a sick daughter most of the night before. Searching the cupboard I sleepily began the usual routine of making breakfast and packing lunches.  Another daughter, (this one bright- eyed and bushy- tailed), appeared asking questions.  Questions which made no sense at that hour, on that little sleep. As I tried to focus on the conversation, I reminded myself to keep my patience. It’s a day for grace.

He watched his coworker of a decade, as the older man was uncharacteristically silent standing before the empty boxes.  He was supposed to pack up his personal belongings.   Only the shuffle of the security guard in his doorway confirmed any time had passed.  That large man kept his eyes on the freshly-fired employee, watching him with both concern and a strict readiness. It’s a day for grace.

The five-year-old sweetheart of a girl wanted to do something nice for her parents.  She was up early on a Saturday morning and they were not.  So she happily descended the stairs with a spring in her step and a plan on her heart: make breakfast in bed for mom and dad! Thirty minutes later there was a pitcher of orange juice spilling under the refrigerator, and the Tupperware cabinet contents were haphazardly collected on the floor.  Awakened by the ruckus, her parents groggily found her in a sticky, massive mess. It’s a day for grace.

Jesus said, “What you did for the least of these, you did for me.” The verses prior to this statement are talking about meeting physical needs.  Give someone food if he is hungry.  A drink if she is thirsty.  A cloak to someone who is cold.

Why stop with meeting physical needs? If Jesus saw someone hurting, would he just turn away? When he saw anger, (evidence of someone’s hurt), would he reciprocate the pain and negativity?

When Jesus was exhausted and emotionally drained, as in Matthew 14, he did not snap when others made a request. Despite his physical state, he patiently loved then with his attitude, his words, and his actions.

How many days have I evaded or refused to extend grace?  How many times could I justify an ungodly response because of a situation, a feeling, something, anything, which seemed excuse-worthy?

And yet, as I recount history, is there any day Christ has refused me grace? Did He ever get so angry He let me wallow without Him? Was He ever so tired of hearing my complaints and concerns that He abandoned me? Did He ever refuse involvement because the situation was uncomfortable?

Never.

His love and grace know no bounds.  If we are to call ourselves Christians, meaning Christ-like, we must make everyday, a day for grace. A day we choose, even when we don’t feel like it, to extend the grace which was so graciously given to each of us. Shouldn’t everyday be a day for grace?

 

Reflections:

 

1. Recount a time someone extended you grace, gave you the benefit of the doubt. Did you recognize it at the moment?
2. What is one way you could have extended grace in the last week?

Clip out the icon below and place it somewhere prominent. Recall His grace and ask for His help to extend that grace to others.                                                                                                                 Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You love us each so much. You extend such grace to cover all my mistakes. Thank You for Your everlasting love, and everlasting grace. Thank You that Your grace is sufficient for me. Please help me to identify when, and how to pass on Your grace. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Thank you for reading! Please return by Monday, February 9 for the next post.