Busy Bathroom Grace

I was recently in a doctor's office and needed to use the bathroom before I left. As I waited, the toilet flushed. Then, it flushed a minute later, another minute later and so on for at least 15 minutes. Of course, I realize it might have been less time than that. When you have to go to the bathroom, anythings that interfere with that seem to take much longer.

 I should have prayed for Busy Bathroom Grace. Instead, I got somewhat frustrated, but tried to be gracious. After the person left the restroom, I saw an older gentleman on crutches. I felt ashamed that I had been so impatient, because he must have been having a terrible time in there! I should have been gracious on the inside of me and not just in the obvious part to others. I should have prayed a brief prayer, but didn't, I'm ashamed to say. 

Not Enough Time Grace

Well, my husband and I agreed to meet up to head to the bank to rectify a banking issue. I had an hour and a forty-five minutes to get back to pick a kiddo up, which seemed like more than enough time. 

You got it. It really wasn't! We waited for one and a half hours. I figured that in ten minutes, I could tell the banker what I needed, sign the paperwork and let my husband finish the transaction, while I went to pick up the kiddo.

 Well, it took the whole ten minutes reviewing everything and I had no cush time. I told her that I had to be across town to get a kiddo and couldn't do it now and had to leave.

 I know she must have felt terrible. I sure did! I said a brief prayer for Not Enough Time Grace while I tried to get across town without exceeding any of the speed limits. Fortunately, I got him within minutes of being dismissed. 

 I called my husband and asked him to meet me at the bank in a half hour, so we could try to rectify the banking issue together. I got there before he did, and I apologized to her profusely. I tried to explain to the banker that I wasn't upset with her, I was just upset with not having enough time. Not enough time to correct the problem. Not enough time to pick up the kiddo. Not enough time to properly explain why I had to leave the bank quickly, although I tried, but it was using up time! 

 Fortunately, the banker was very gracious and understood about not wanting to leave a child stranded after dismissal. We were able to rectify the banking issue and that was good, but what was even better was rectifying the issue with the banker. I had felt badly about that and not having adequate time to explain calmly. 

Overheard Comment Grace

We were in a public building recently when the person sitting next to me commented loudly about the lady on the bench was smoking one of those vape pipes inside the building. The thing is, the person commenting was only about ten feet away from the person smoking the pipe and could probably hear the comment.

I was always taught that you don't talk about people, especially when they might hear it and get their feelings hurt. I mentioned that she might be able to hear, but the commenter really didn't care. This was frustrating, because I was offending the person making the comment by not indignantly joining in and possibly overhearing. I didn't want to be rude to either, so I said a brief prayer asking for Overheard Comment Grace. 

The person with the vape pipe put it away, probably because she overheard, but didn't remark about it. The person making the comment stopped, because there was no issue to address, at that point. I was just pleased that Christ took care of the situation and my frustration, because I wasn't sure how to handle either! Fortunately, He always does!

Banking Error Grace

My wonderful husband was doing the errands, because I quite often have many things on my plate. He was supposed to delete a monthly deposit into an account that we rarely use. Unfortunately, he closed the account instead.

 When I first heard that, I was fit to be tied. I couldn't figure out any reason why he would close that account. Then, I asked a short prayer for Banking Error Grace, not their error, ours! I immediately felt calmer and tried to discuss this with my husband, which went much better after praying than had before.

 I forget that my husband is hard of hearing and often doesn't hear things correctly. Also, I assume he has his hearing aides on, which isn't always the case. I told him that if this is the biggest thing we ever have to worry about, we are truly blessed people!
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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?