As a child, I noticed that EVERY month, except one, had a major holiday. That one month was August. August was the month that Grandmother Grace was born. It was the one time of the year that the vast swath of my family joined in celebration for her. Therefore, I always viewed August as the “Month of Grace”.
I have found that providing grace to those around me reduces my stress and strengthens my heart. Showing grace doesn’t have to be some grand gesture of forgiveness of mortal sins, it can be the simple things that you do every day. When doing these things, you will find that you may grow closer to God, or you may simply find that it “wasn’t that bad” after all. Either way, the world will be a better place for both the person receiving your grace AND you.
A few tips:
- Let that car out that’s trying to get into traffic, it only takes a few seconds off your time and can remind that person that there is still good in the world (and you’ll get bonus points if they wave).
- Take the cart back that the person just finished unloading, you’re going into the store anyway.
- Pick up that can that’s laying next to the trashcan. The person that tossed it may have thought they made a two-pointer, let them keep believing that.
- Smile at the crying baby. (This is one of my favorites) You’ll find that you’re helping quiet the baby’s fears AND providing the parent a small reprieve.
I wish you all a wonderful Month of Grace.
DennisBetzel 