Cranky Grace

There are times when I've been around people who just are cranky at the time. Anything you do won't change that, especially trying to explain the logic about whatever they are currently upset about. Once I realize that, I have to say a Brief Prayer for Cranky Grace. 

I could argue with a person that's cranky until the cows come home, but that is counterproductive and isn't what Christ wants of me. When I say the Brief Prayer for Cranky Grace, I am letting go of my need to fix the situation. Instead the grace that Christ gives me allows me to be gracious and open to be supportive of that person in the ways that only Christ knows are needed for any particular person.

I wish I could say that I do this all the time, but the more I do it, the less I am doing things that undermine what Christ wants. Additionally, I have to remember that there are times that, I, too am cranky, especially when I'm low blood pressure! If I want others to be supportive of me and not take it personally, I should do the same for them!

Want to Do Something Else Grace

Yesterday, I mentioned to my husband that I was really looking forward to today, because I could spend a large chunk of time posting on the blogs. [I planned to wear my comfy clothes, because I didn't plan to go out today. I don't often have days like this where I can really just relax and do what gives me pleasure, although I didn't tell him all of this.]

Today, my husband told me that he wants me to do go do this and that with him. I was starting to get frustrated with him for taking a big chunk of my time when I said the brief prayer: Want to Do Something Else Grace. When things arise and so does my frustration, there isn't always enough time to say an elaborate prayer, explaining why I need Christ's Grace at the time. Fortunately for me, Christ sees what's causing me frustration and grants His grace when I pray brief prayers like this. He knows that I am asking for Him to grant me grace, so I can be gracious as an example of how He works in my life, rather than spout off in return.

This is especially significant, because while I was typing the previous paragraph, my husband called and told me that he wants me to go do one more thing with him. I quickly remembered that I had just prayed for Want to Do Something Else Grace and was calmed by it. I realize that my husband forgot all about my saying how much I was looking forward to today, so I had plenty of time to work on the blogs. Fortunately, this will get completed, but some of my other posts may have to wait until another time. I don't mind as much, because when I forget to ask for Christ's Grace, I usually end up feeling guilty for sharing how frustrated I am with my husband. It doesn't make me feel any better and only makes him feel worse. Christ's Grace gets me through those times where words are better off not being expressed!

P.S. I had to come back and add this. Having been given Christ's Grace in this situation has had far reaching ramifications. Not only did it keep from developing an uncomfortable situation, but it gave me a greater sense of appreciation for my husband. Although I had other plans, this made me realize that I am truly blessed to have a husband who wants to include me in the things he does! 

Dueling Conversations Grace

I wish I could say this is the only time this has happened, but it happens somewhat regularly. I will be in a confined space talking to someone on my cell phone and someone else will make a call knowing that. It's frustrating at the very least, because it's difficult for me to focus on my conversation with someone else having their own in such close proximity.

It feels rude to me that the other person chooses to make calls when I'm already on the phone and I sometimes want to say so. Instead, thanks to what Christ has shown me in these brief prayers, I ask for Grace related to the two phone conversations at the same time. In the future I will ask for Dueling Conversations Grace. It keeps me from saying something I might regret.

Controlling Grace

There have been times in my life when someone else has tried to control my actions, what I say, think or do over the years. It doesn't matter whether it's in a social setting, at work, a family situation, or something totally different.

Recently, someone jumped on my case for talking to someone else. They thought I was going against their explicit instructions to not get involved in a matter. Since someone was in need, I still felt led to try to help out on some level and made arrangements to do so, which irritated the controlling person.

The controlling person conveyed less than kind things to me and my first instinct was to say exactly what I thought and put them in their place. I prayed for Controlling Grace, although I reluctantly accepted it. My urge was to respond back in kind, but then, I wouldn't have been an example of Christ's Grace in my life. After praying for it several more times, I was finally able to relinquish the anger that welled within me and let go of the situation.