Day 30: Learn to be Gracious

Dear Little Princess,

One of my biggest struggles in life has been learning to be gracious.  Whether I’m talking to Daddy, you and the boys, or complete strangers, graciousness is not my natural response.  I would dearly love to have a soft answer and gracious reply, but it’s something that I am going to have to work at for the rest of my life.

I hope you can learn about graciousness from me – not from my good example, but from my poor one.  You know how frustrating it is when I am not sweet in my response to you.  You know that a kind word is so much better than a harsh one.  I know that, too, but all too often I get impatient and snap at people instead of speaking gently.

I am finding that the more I pray about and read about giving a soft answer, the more the Lord helps me.  When I get too busy to spend quality time cultivating graciousness, that’s when I really start to stumble.

I also struggle to be patient and kind with people who, in my mind, don’t deserve grace.  What I’m forgetting, though, is that none of us deserves God’s grace, and yet He gave us grace anyway.  When I remember that I am undeserving, I am better able to give gentleness to others.  The Holy Spirit helps me in this.

People today are less deserving than ever of God’s grace, but they are also in need of it more than ever before.  By showing grace when it is undeserved, you will be setting a beautiful example for others all while encouraging them to do the same.  You may even be giving a silent witness to the working of the Spirit in your life, and perhaps someone will come to know Christ as a result of your good conduct.

We can work together and pray for each other to be more gracious in our speech and conduct.

All my love,

Mommy