The way of grace,,,

I find myself constantly challenged to live a gracious and grace-filled life!

I've come to realise that this in not an easy journey to take, particularly when one's actions are questioned, by fellow Christians and especially by people who hold more worldly values.

Quite recently I've found myself in a position where, I believe, I was treated quite poorly by some fellow believers. I was, and still remain, hurt, yet I cannot respond with un-grace. I have chosen to go on,  serving and helping because the way I choose to manage the situation impacts on others.
To those who have little knowledge or understanding of God's grace, it is a foreign concept. Non-Christian friends have called me spineless for not putting up a fight...

 However, in a different context altogether, I am conscious of fighting and fighting... for what I believe it good and true and right... and yet there is a lack of grace. I repeatedly offer myself for service, opportunity to use my God-given gifts... I have become battle-scarred and weary, close to the point of giving up.

There are several accronyms for grace, but the explanation that has always resonated with me is 'getting what we don't deserve.' That doesn't just relate to me, or you, or the church, but to everyone... all of creation.
It struck me that, sometimes we don't deserve the negatives and the hurts that are levelled towards us, but it doesn't prevent them from happening. We live in a messed up society, a world where there are more deaths related to over-indulgence than there are from malnutrition...

Will we continue to be gracious because we are receivers of God's unending grace?

Lord, grant us the grace to go on.