Offering Grace

What started out as offering to help a particular senior complete his graduation credits has turned into several weekends of my life working with 10 to 20 seniors in danger of not graduating. Now, this weekend was unique because I had a teacher who offered to come and spend his afternoon with them so I wouldn't have to. How cool is that! I didn't ask - he just offered.

It's been a real unique experience for me. I haven't had four year to get to know these students. Nor have I been here long enough to build a relationship with them; however, they trust me to be there when they need me. They are checking in with me daily to tell me how far along they are. Last night, was prom and they made a point to give me a hug or shake my hand and thank me for being there for them.

I could have been mad because they didn't do what they were supposed to do in class and had to do an alternative course of study to get finished. I could have been judgmental and told them there were no other option except coming to summer school since they messed up their regular semester grades. Instead, I offered grace and an opportunity to do it on the weekends so they could get their regular work done during the week.

Ephesians 4:32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

How many times a day do you get the opportunity to choose a different reaction to a situation?

Your children may be fighting with each other and you yell for them to stop (like I do at times). What if you simply distract them with another option and not get upset or mention the fighting.

Your husband failed to call to tell you he was running late and you get upset that he is not available to help get the kids to their after school activities. What if you simply took care of the kids and let him catch his breath after a busy day.

I know it's not easy to make these choices. I fail to do them as much as I could. But I have seen how much of an impact it has had on these seniors. If we are trying to be Christlike, then we also have to offer grace.