Grace and Mercy

So I'm reading a book called "What's so amazing about Grace" by Philip Yancey. You should read it.
Grace:generosity of spirit: a capacity to tolerate, accommodate, or forgive people.

 

Of course this is only one definition, but I love the point of "generosity of spirit".  Grace is a gift, it cannot be bought or earned, if these are required it is not grace. I found there were many definitions of this word, but to me it is the unmerited, undeserved love, forgiveness, favor, and kindness of God. So saying that it is generosity of spirit would best describe it. It is exhibiting characteristics only God can create, but that we have in us through his spirit. And then, if we are like Christ, lavish on everyone we come in contact with.

 

If God has found a way to forgive me, for all that I have done and to still love me, and think precious thoughts toward me, and to have a future and a hope that He Himself has planned for me, how can I not pass this same grace onto others, the best I know how? I don't deserve God's grace, none of us do, but if we refuse to offer others that same grace, are we not renouncing the very grace that saves us?

It struck me in the middle of the night last night, we often offer the most Grace toward a person, at their funeral...When it doesn't matter anymore. Extending someone grace does nothing for the giver, but much for the receiver. It can relieve guilt and burden, it can set people free, it can open a person's eyes to the heart of God. It can bring amazing blessing into some one's life. Yet we often wait until a person has passed away to offer a generous spirit toward them, to offer words of accolade,  to tell them why we love them, what we love about them, what they contribute to the world. We wait until they pass to be understanding of who they were and the life that they lived, to truly try and see the trials and the choices that they had to walk through, and to acknowledge their strength. We wait until they have passed to finally forgive and allow them to "rest in peace", many times assuming that they will be dealt there judgement now, so we can stop trying to judge them ourselves, when it wasn't our job to judge them to begin with. Wouldn't it mean so much more to do all of this before someone has passed and allow them to see Christ in us, and allow them to rest in peace among the living...