Grace

It's more than a girl's name.

In this past year I have learned a lot about grace.  Recently I wrote about the women who most inspired me in 2012.    Today I posted a link on my facebook page that sparked an interesting conversation.

One of the friends who commented was my long time college friend who shocked his wife of 14 years when he told her he wanted out.  I am incredibly proud of both of my friends as they walk this journey.  I'm proud of my long-time guy friend for getting help and, as I've said before, I'm extremely inspired by her willingness to be obedient and forgive even when it's painful and not rational.

I let my male friend know that I am praying for his family and that I am proud he is seeking help to change himself and improve his marriage.   As I was trying to encourage him I started thinking a lot about grace.  I fully admit that the grace I'm extending my friend in the aftermath of his choices is 100% because we have a history that goes back 18 years to two college freshman who met the first night we could move into our dorms.  If pretty much any other girlfriend had told me what his wife did I don't know if I would've extended him any grace . . .

I started thinking about the grace I'm extending this friend and realizing that it shouldn't matter whether it's someone I've known half my life (EEEK!!!!) of if it's someone I've never met.  

I told my friend tonight that a wise man I know once said to let him who is without sin cast the first stone and I have no stones to cast.  While I was being 100% honest that I have no stones to cast at him I started wondering if I'm (silently) casting stones at others who need grace or if I'm being stingy with it and only extending this gift that has been extended to me to those I care about.

I know the answer and it's not pretty.

Now that I've admitted it, what am I going to do about it?  The answer is easy, but living it out won't be . . .