For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

I love the story of the Prodigal Son, especially the often overlooked conversation between the father and he elder brother. The son was upset because his brother received something he did not deserve, thus making him feel robbed.  The father tried to explain his actions, but his words fell on deaf ears.  He tried to explain grace; the elder son was only focused on what he thought he deserved.

I often flounder with grace; while I love to receive it, I often struggle to give it. I sometimes think that some people simply do not deserve grace, but isn’t that the point? Grace is only really given when it is not earned. In fact, unless I actually acknowledge that I am undeserving, I can never recognize or truly receive grace.

Being as flawed as I am, I find grace liberating. Receiving grace does not excuse my shortcomings, however, it fills the gap between where I am and where I should be.  Grace makes me want to be a better person. Giving grace to others allows me to not be ridged or distant; it teaches me to see the individual.  Grace promotes cohesive teams; it acknowledges that we need each other, and by working together we are far better than the sum total of our individual talents and abilities.

Grace is not blind nor does it ignore sin, but it simply does not condemn. None of us are exempt from the need of grace; my prayer is that I will be quick to give it to others.