Apr
5
2022
Learning To Show Grace
Posted in Poetry 2 Comments
This poem was originally published on September 19, 2014.
It was needed then. It is needed now.
I am learning to show grace,
Every day a little more,
Each and every situation,
Never knowing what’s in store.
The days I learn to hold my tongue,
And keep my eyes from rolling.
The days I go the extra mile,
Keep away from all controlling.
Learning to appreciate
The differences I see,
Instead of always trying
To make them more like me.
To treat the people that I meet
With tender loving care.
To lend a hand or maybe two,
To let them know I’m there.
To treat the other person
With a kind word and a smile.
To think about the things I do,
To ponder for a while.
How will they all see Jesus
If my actions hide His face?
How will they all know Jesus,
If I don’t extend His grace?
The world is not an easy place
To lay your burdens down.
Before happy, plastic people
Who never wear a frown.
You have to always look your best,
Not a wrinkle or a crease.
No time to see behind the eyes
Of those who have no peace.
No time to understand their grief.
No time to meet their need.
No time to listen with your heart,
Their hungry soul to feed.
No time to sit in silence
While another cries their tears.
No time to offer comfort.
No time to calm their fears.
Grace takes lots of energy.
That we really cannot spare.
It is easier just to walk away,
Shoot up a little prayer.
But is the daily minimum,
Enough for us to do?
Can we share our heart with them?
Help them change their view?
We have this Great Deposit
Left within our care.
We have the Gospel of His grace,
The Good News that we share.
Good News to tell the ones we meet,
Good News to tell ourselves.
Good News we carry with us.
Not to leave upon a shelf.
Sit beside the grieving one,
Never say a word.
Your silence will surely be to them,
The words they never heard.
Compassion in the grace lived out.
Jesus right beside.
A hand upon their shoulder,
In that space, He will abide.
Grace is nothing that we earn.
Grace is given free.
Grace begins to overflow
From deep inside of me.
The well that grace is stored in,
The well that overflows,
Streams of Living Water,
Everywhere we go.
Who needs a touch of grace today?
Who needs your gentle care?
Who needs to see the face of Christ,
As you are sitting there?
What a privilege it is to be,
The bearer of Good News,
Joy that is contagious.
Joy they can’t refuse.
I am learning to show grace.
The grace I got for free.
The grace that is to give away.
Not to keep for me.
Can you imagine how the world would be,
If we only showed more grace?
We would look into each other’s eyes,
And see His loving face.
A picture of heaven, for sure. How sad we will have to wait until then to see everyone extend that grace (hesed); until then, we as followers of Christ need to be the example.
Amen, Sue.
To be the fragrance of Life to others and show them Christ is our greatest privilege.
Gina