SHOWING GRACE
A |
n old Quaker bought a cantankerous dairy cow and
every milking session became a battle of wills.
Determined to demonstrate grace under fire the old man refused to react
when Bessie stomped on his foot, whipped him in the face with her tail, and
knocked over the milk bucket. Finally
she kicked him against the barn wall and that did it! Glowering, he growled,
"Thou knowest
I’m a Quaker and cannot strike thee back – but I can
surely sell thee to a Presbyterian!" When we are
the injured party, it’s hard to be gracious and finish the job at hand. That’s when we need "more grace," and to keep in mind a few important
principles:
a) Conflicting viewpoints
help you to grow. If you’ve ever been around
teens you can relate. They’re experts at
coming up with unconventional, off-the-wall opinions that challenge you and
keep you honest.
b) Never resort to
character assassination. Disagreeing is one
thing, destroying somebody is another.
Some of the most vicious personal attacks, public and private, have been
waged over religion and politics. If you
must fight, fight fair.
c) When you lose, take it
on the chin. Instead of
endlessly rehearsing old grievances, "Help others
with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault"(Romans
14:14-19).
d) Sometimes it’s
necessary to go separate ways. When Paul and Barnabas argued over whether or not
John Mark should travel with them, "There followed a sharp disagreement
between them" (Acts 15:39). End of story?
No, just the beginning of 2 different ministries! So be gracious! What’s happening to you right
now may well be God’s way of moving you into a new area of blessings. Amen
In Christ,
Janet Irene Thomas
Playwright/Screen Writer/Director
Published Author/Gospel Lyricist
&Producer
FOUNDER/CEO
Bible
Stories Theatre of
Fine
& Performing Arts
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