Computer Frustration Grace!

I had someone fix my computer, but when I turned it on, a bajillion updates started downloading. I only had a little bit of time to work on a project, so after about 15 minutes, I turned off the computer.

That was only the start of it! When I turned the computer back on, thinking I could get to my files, it said that the computer hadn't shut down properly and gave me several modes to use to open my computer. When I did that, it said that their was some type of error that needed to be fixed, but I could click on the box that offered to try to identify and fix the start-up problem. I did this and it said it couldn't fix it, but when I did it again, it said that it was fixed. I closed down the computer and restarted it again.

Now, I figured I would have only a few minutes left to work on my project. Guess what? The computer said that I couldn't turn off the computer, because it was configuring all the bajillion updates. It was a lost cause and I was sooooooo frustrated, at that point. I wish I could tell you that I said a brief prayer and asked for Computer Frustration Grace, but I didn't. Instead, I walked around frustrated, making everyone else miserable until I realized I just needed to turn it over into Christ's hands. Then, it didn't bother me so much.


Lack of Adequate Time Grace

Things were really hectic. Each of the younger ones had a different obligation after they got home from school. That wouldn't have been so bad, but there had been an after school activity that made them later than usual. 

There wasn't enough time to complete all the homework and check it before they headed to the next events they had to go to. I could feel myself getting intense, because of the lack of adequate time to complete everything. Then I prayed and Christ calmed me down. Fortunately, He gave me Lack of Adequate Time Grace.

 I was able to finish the remainder of the time together and be more composed. What surprised me was that we got much more completed than I anticipated.

4 Letter Word Grace

Well, I was in the vicinity of someone using 4 letter words. There's a part of me that just wanted to talk to the person and tell them how unnecessary that is, especially when there are kids around. Instead, after praying for 4 Letter Word Grace, Jesus calmed me down and I took the kids elsewhere instead of making a scene.

Can't Make Everybody Happy Grace

I know that most of these posts are about how Christ gave me grace after I said a brief prayer, so that I can respond with grace rather than saying what I had been thinking.

Well, this time the grace is for me! I was thinking about a conversation and was concerned that someone might have misinterpreted something I said.

 In the middle of that, Christ made me aware that I need some Can't Make Everybody Happy Grace. That wasn't for anyone else. It's so I don't continue to worry about it. It's really nice to know that Christ looks after me and doesn't want me to be unduly concerned about things when I shouldn't be.

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?