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Giving people what they don't deserve

"Grace is about giving people what they don't deserve--extending unmerited favor.  If we all got exactly what we deserved and only what we deserved, most of us would not be where we are today.

"Think of all the times that someone--a parent, a friend, coworker, or even a Good Samaritan--extending a kindness to you that you didn't earn.

"If you approach others with the attitude that you will only give them as much they give to you, your relationship never will have a chance to grow beyond that point.  But when someone makes a gesture based on grace--a gift or good deed that is unearned or undeserved---the relationship is deepened and enriched for both parties.

"A gift given in grace will delight the one who receives it, as well as the one who gives it.  Grace is one of the deepest forms of communication in any relationship.  It says you care about someone for who that person is, not just what he or she does for you." - Mark Sanborn in Fred 2.0

In a relationship both parties give grace at one time or another.  Sometimes in a relationship we need to extend grace when none is ever given by the other person.  We sometimes need to be that one that extends kindness they didn't deserve.

Renee Madison, MA, LPC, CSAT is a counselor in Colorado.  She can be reached for appointments at 303-257-7623 or 970-324-6928.
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