Greedy Grace

My husband and I were at a luncheon graciously put on by a Christian Church that are primarily of another culture. After the luncheon, they had gift bags for the attendees. A man that was sitting at our table was first to go over and get a bag. He didn't wait until the hosts brought them to the table as the rest of the people did. It seems he had ulterior motives. This man took two bags and brought them back to the table.

 I wanted to make some kind of remark to draw attention to his greediness like, "Are you getting one for someone who couldn't attend the luncheon? or Do you think there will be enough for everyone when you take two?" Instead I said a brief prayer for Greedy Grace. I was basically asking God for grace, so that I didn't say something to the man who was being greedy. After this this brief prayer, I calmed down and my anger toward that man subsided. 

Example of a Brief Prayer

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Acts 15:11

I was with someone who was scooping up some free popcorn. They didn't ask me if I wanted any. The person told me that I should get a bag of popcorn and then took it from my hands. They wanted me to get the popcorn for them to eat later.

It's such a silly thing, but it really did irritate me. Didn't that person think about whether I wanted some or not? Couldn't they have asked me if I wanted some before they took it from my hands? I found myself getting frustrated at that person. Then, it popped into my mind that that's not what Christ wants of me. He wants me to be gracious to those who irritate me, but I was too frustrated to be gracious at that moment.

What I prayed was, "Popcorn Grace," and immediately Christ calmed me down, so that I didn't respond to the person in a less than positive manner. Although the "Popcorn Grace" prayer was very brief, I was asking Christ to please give me grace with this popcorn situation, so I would respond in a gracious manner, and He did! It amazed me that He knew and understood my brief prayer and granted me that grace, so I could be more gracious as an example of how He works in my life! I have continued to use these brief prayers which are changing my life and my response to others. If Christ can do this for me, He can most certainly do it for you, as well. Try it...what can it hurt?