A Good Word Wednesday #83 Gracious

A little bit of goodness for you each Wednesday

Good Word of the Day: Gracious

Did you read the headlines this morning or listen to the news? We live in a world in desperate need of God’s grace. The headlines I read as I drink my morning coffee are full of corruption, greed, self-centeredness, war.

How do we, as God’s children, help people in such a messy world? Sometimes, it’s the simple acts of graciousness that are needed: Opening the door for someone; letting someone go ahead of you in line, or simply picking up a dropped item for someone. As I walk through the grocery store, I see people in need of a kind word, a smile, a listening ear, grace.

Scripture tells us in Psalms 145:8 that “The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion.” As we move toward Easter, we reflect on the cross and the incredible act of grace given to us all. How do we reflect His graciousness in this dark and needy world? Here are a few specific ways to weave into your way of life:

• Pray daily for God to empower you to love the way He does.

• Spend time reading in scripture how Jesus responded to people in need.

• Decide to share love and grace inclusively, unconditionally, extensively, abundantly.

• Check to see if your daily conversations are full of gracious words. There are plenty of rude people in the world. Don’t be that person.

What else would you add to this list?

Wednesday in the Word

“Let your conversation be always full of grace.” Colossians 4:6

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

“From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” John 1:16

Share Your Good Words

Good Questions of the Week: How do you show kindness, compassion and graciousness to other people? How can you tell if a person is full of grace?

Photo: She Is Safe

Good Unseen People

When I think of graciousness, I often couple that word with hospitality. A few years ago I wrote in my blog:

“When I think of hospitality, I think of visiting in the humble home of a new friend in northeastern Bangladesh. Although he was obviously living on a poor man’s wages, he embodied Asian hospitality when he walked to the village market and purchased a bottle of Coke for us to drink. He knew we couldn’t drink his water, but wanted to offer us his best. I wanted to tell him, “No, please, don’t spend your hard-earned money on us.” But that would be dishonoring him and his home, so we graciously smiled and thanked him and sat on the mat on his floor and sipped our Coke out of plastic cups.” Read the whole story: Come on in! You are welcome here.

I have many stories about living a grace-filled life in my upcoming book. I invite you to read more about Unseen People: Sharing Light and Life With Your Neighbors and the Nations. Click the link to read more on my website.

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Good Words I Recommend

1. A Good Book: “To our way of thinking, ungracious Christianity is a contradiction in terms, an oxymoron. Gracious love defines the core of God’s character, and gracious love defines the life and word of Christ.” Gracious Christianity: Living the Love we Profess, Douglas Jacobson

2. A Good Song: This is Amazing Grace, Jeremy Riddle

A Final Good Word

Here is a quick simple checklist to know if the words you speak every day are gracious:

__ 1. Is it true?

__ 2. Is it kind?

__ 3. Is it necessary?

Thank you for reading these words. I’m deeply honored to share this time with you each week.

“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you. Jeremiah 30:2

I’d love to hear from you. This is your chance to share with me whatever is on your heart today. Please share. I value your thoughts!

Contact me privately: deannalynnsanders@gmail.com.

Please share a good word with someone today.

Gratefully yours,