I cannot believe that we have already flipped the calendar over…again! Here we are. Staring at the month of November…just two months away from staring a whole new year. I don’t know about you, but it feels like time is just getting faster and faster.

Maybe I feel that way because I’m always running around. Maybe I feel that way because my boys keep me on my toes. Maybe I feel that way because I’m getting older- and can recognize the fact that time is precious, and fleeting.

I do love the month of November. I always see my friends on social media completing these gratitude challenges. I love seeing what my friends are thankful for. I love that people start to reevaluate what’s important.

I’m hoping on the gratitude train, too. I didn’t find a challenge or anything to follow; I figured I’d just blog about what’s on my heart, and what I feel lead to share that day.

Today I wanted to share with you how thankful I am for G R A C E. I didn’t really totally understand grace until I extended it. Isn’t it funny that you don’t really gain understanding about something until you put it into practice?

Long story short, I ran into someone who was very dear to my Monster in the past. They were someone who was amazing to my young Monster. Someone who would play with him, acknowledge his needs, and honestly- just showed him love.

Things happened and I’m not going to go into details, but this someone is no longer apart of or involved in our lives. If I can speak honestly (and you know I do) we were all hurt by this someone in some way. I had to personally grieve the fact that this someone was no longer going to be apart of my Monster’s life, no matter how much they wanted to be.

So back to present day…I ran into them. In public. And I was shocked. It had been years since I had seen this person, let alone acknowledged them. I could have spoke unkindly. I could have given them a piece of my mind. I could have gone off the deep-end, cussed them out and punched them in the face.

I didn’t.

Why?

G R A C E

I knew there would be a time when I would see this someone again. I knew that I had no idea what it was that I would say to them. Honestly, I can’t remember what all was said. All I know is…I was kind. I wasn’t mean. I showed compassion. I gained closure.

The Lord works in ways to help you understand Him and His love. How many times have I shown love- then thrown shade? How many times have I shown affection- then ignored others needs? See a pattern?

I learned from this simple encounter: no matter how much I deserve to be cussed out, ignored, or even punched in the face by God. He won’t do it. Even though I deserve it, and fail Him every single day. He won’t do it because He has extended G R A C E. To me…and to you.

Who knows? Maybe I looked too deep into this encounter. Maybe I didn’t. I like to think the latter. I believe with my whole heart God wanted to show me how He extends G R A C E. We see someone who is hateful, cruel, and just down right mean. God sees us covered by His Son’s blood. He sees us and shows compassion, love, and yes- G R A C E. We know how good it feels when someone is kind to us when we don’t deserve it.

That’s what God’s G R A C E looks like to me. I see God as someone who loves me despite all of my mess, and is kind to me- even when I do not deserve it. God wanted to physically show me G R A C E…He wanted me to learn from this encounter and share it. I’m just following His lead.