Grace has no qualifiers. 

If it has to be earned, or can be traded or leveraged – it is not grace. 

The millisecond an exchange of what is supposed to be full of Grace is tagged with expectation and is not freely given, it becomes something other than grace. It may be a bargaining chip, an attempt to control another, or something deployed in hopeful attempts to fix or change another, but, once it is currency of any sort, what is being “offered” is something other than Grace. 

Grace is about the giver. 

It is a reflection of the heart of the person – group, church, organization – freely giving it. It is not about the person or people on the receiving end. Is it not about whether it’s deserved or not, fair or not, or any one of those typical things people will say when someone has been the unlikely recipient of authentic grace.

Grace, with Listening (“You have my full attention”) and Presence (“I am here with you and for you”) are among the most powerful gifts we can offer each other.

Life itself tries to teach Grace to the willing learner. 

May the learning curve be smooth and kind and gentle for you and for me.