Toothpaste Grace

We were staying in a hotel and I decided to go to brush my teeth, but found my toothbrush dripping wet when I hadn't used it yet. I immediately realized that my husband had mistakenly used my toothbrush, but it still grossed me out!!!

I wanted to get upset with my husband for not paying attention to which toothbrush he used, but Christ gave me Toothpaste Grace and let me know that it was counterproductive to address it at that point, since it was really too late to do anything about it. 

Fortunately for me, Christ gives me grace and keeps me from saying things I might regret.

Cut Myself Some Slack Grace

Well, a couple of weeks ago, I told you in a Christ's Grace Abounds post that I reluctantly started a podcast I felt led to create called: Relate2TheBible Podcast. Doing this doesn't come easily to me. It's a greater level of risk I take when I do these podcasts. When I am typing the Christian blog posts, I can go back and edit out any errors I may have made. It's not very threatening, even though they felt that way when I first felt led to create them. 

I find myself being very self-critical of my podcast episodes. I hear when my voice wavers, when I hesitate or have to restate something during the podcasts. There's some editing I can do, but I'm not experienced enough to do any editing that is very involved. I have to ask Christ for Cut Myself Some Slack Grace. I'm prayerful that people who listen to these podcasts get the message that Christ wants me to share regardless of my inadequacies!

These podcasts come out on Wednesday and Friday. You can listen to these free podcasts at: Relate2TheBible Podcast on Anchor.fm/debra-seiling The Relate2TheBible Podcast is also free on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker and Radio Public. Please feel free to share these podcasts with others who might benefit. Thanks! Debbie

Low Battery Grace

There are times when I want to use my phone to call someone or to look at something that's saved on it, and you got it...the Battery was low and the phone closes off! You've probably had that happen to yourself from time to time!

Usually, it makes me very frustrated!!! I hate waiting!!! Maybe, Christ is trying to teach me something with this post, because this just happened. I need to be more mindful to putting frustrating issues like this in Christ's hands rather than allowing those situations to make me upset. When I respond to frustrating issues like that, I'm more apt to respond to others in a less than patient way and that's definitely not what I want to convey to those I interact with. 

I'm very blessed that Christ takes the time to show me that if I turn to Him now, asking for Low Battery Grace, I'm more apt to not to let that frustration affect others!

Out of My Comfort Zone Grace

I recently tried something very much out of my Comfort Zone! I had felt led to create a podcast, something I know little to nothing about. I hate to say this, but my first response was to respond, "Are you sure, God? I understand that you wanted me to create the Christian blogs, but a podcast, really????" 

Fortunately for me, God didn't say, "Are you sure, Debbie? I understand that you want me to forgive her, but asking for forgiveness when you aren't willing to try the things I ask of you, really???"

Although I was afraid to attempt this, after Christ gave me Out of My Comfort Zone Grace, I have prayerfully started a podcast that comes out on Wednesday and Friday. You can listen to these free podcasts at: Relate2TheBible Podcast on Anchor.fm-debra-seiling The Relate2TheBible Podcast is also free on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker and Radio Public. Please feel free to share these podcasts with others who might benefit. Thanks! Debbie

Instant Replay Grace

I don't know if you do this, but all too often, I find myself rewinding a recent situation in my mind as I go through everything I said an the other/s said, just like I'm watching an instant replay in football or baseball.

I found myself doing that today and it dawned on me that I should ask Christ for Instant Replay Grace.  I said a brief prayer for this and the situation I had been thinking about hasn't come back through my mind again. Yeah! 

Of course, sometimes it's healthy to evaluate a situation, but sometimes it's not. Christ knows when it's important to evaluate our actions or comments in a particular situation and when it's not. I like putting it in His very capable hands!

Tuna Grace

Acts 16:30 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

We were traveling and someone we knew gave us two boxes of tuna and crackers.  Immediately, I planned that we should save the tuna for when we went to fly home the next day. I knew that eating options were limited at this little airport that we would be flying out of.

Someone else decided to eat them right then and there! I was fuming! I tried to explain that I wanted to save them for the airport, but they really didn't want to hear it. They just wanted to eat them. 

I said a brief prayer and asked for Tuna Grace. I've found that when I say quick prayers in the midst of frustrating or problematic situations, Christ gives me a calmness and keeps me from saying things I might regret. 

Difference of Opinion Grace

Have you ever tried to tell someone your opinion on a topic, but the other person feels the opposite very strongly and tries to share their point of view to the point that you can't ever explain yours? I'm sure that we all have experienced this one time or another!

Well, that happened to me recently and I was starting to get frustrated when I remembered to say a brief prayer asking Christ for Difference of Opinion Grace. It was amazing! The other person calmed down and wasn't in a defensive mode and allowed me to explain my reasoning. Not only that, they didn't just minimally listen but actually took it into consideration and decided to check into the situation further...and actually did. Christ is sooooo very amazing! This had the potential of going south and Christ turned the conversation completely around! Now, asking Christ brief prayers doesn't mean that everything is going to turn out to be the way you want it, but it does mean that if you pray it, Christ can take your frustration away before you say things you might regret.  

Memory Grace

I was in a situation not so long ago where someone I knew got frustrated when someone called about something that had been scheduled. The person wanted to know why that person was calling and who called them, when really they had to have called them, but had forgotten.

I started telling the person that they must have just forgotten they called which could cause a very negative outcome. I've found that when someone has a momentary lapse of memory it seems as real to them, as if it actually happened the way they thought. It doesn't do any good to get frustrated with them, because they can't help if they don't recall the situation.  I said a brief prayer asking Christ for Memory Grace in this situation. The funny thing is, the other person didn't move forward at getting agitated with what I had just said and they didn't continue to question the call, they just went on about the topic. Yeah! That could have really gone south, but didn't because of Christ! I am so very blessed for all He does for me!

Other Project Grace

Have you ever been in a hurry to be somewhere or to do something and you convey it to another person and they decide to start another project knowing this? It's frustrating and could seem insensitive, but I think that most people aren't meaning to be insensitive, they just want to get the project done.

Anyway, I was starting to get frustrated when the other person was in the middle of a new project after I already expressed how short of time we were to be somewhere. Fortunately for me, Christ reminded me of recent times when I'd made brief prayers asking for His assistance. I stopped and asked Christ for Other Project Grace and the situation no longer bothered me. I'm not kidding, it really didn't, even though we didn't have enough time to do what we were supposed to do. I'm so very grateful that Christ looks after me even when my frustration wants to leak out all over the place and He stops me!

Forgetting Important Dates Grace

Isn't it frustrating when you tell someone an important date and even remind them about it and they say they never, ever knew this thing was happening on that particular date? Of course, I never, ever do things of this nature. Unfortunately, it's always easier to see other people's shortcomings instead of my own.

I almost wanted to send this person copies of the emails I sent them telling them of the date and the reminder, but instead I said a brief prayer asking Christ for Forgetting Important Dates Grace. I calmed down and didn't send the emails to prove my point, plus it no longer bothered me. I am so blessed that Christ makes me a much better person than I am.

Worrying Grace

I was worried about how something would turn out. It's tricky when you are dealing with other people and being sensitive to their needs and opinions. I tried to think of everything I could to ensure everything went smoothly, but it really wasn't within my control to start with.

At times I get caught up in worrying about things, I realize that I am saying through my actions, "Christ, I'm not so sure that You're going to take care of me, so I'm going to worry and fret and see if there's anyway that I can fix things in case You don't." Now that definitely isn't what I want to convey to my Lord and Savior. So, remembering that's what I convey when i worry, I asked Christ for Worrying Grace. That doesn't necessarily mean that by praying this brief prayer everything is going to turn out perfectly resolved. What it did mean is that Christ took away my worry and I was better able to trust Him to handle the situation, instead of me!

Forgetful Grace

Have you ever been around someone who forgets what they said or did and they either say or do it again? I think we all have. I remember something my uncle said to me. He told me that the nicest thing you could do for a person is to listen with interest each and every time that someone tells you the same story. I really admired him for sharing that with me.

Then, when I experience it at a later time, did was I as gracious as my uncle suggested? Well, almost not, but as I noticed the first signs of frustration, I asked Christ for Forgetful Grace and that frustration left me and it no longer mattered. I figured that if Christ took the frustration away, I needed to be more gracious in situations like this.

Rehashing Things Grace

There are times when I'm concerned about something, especially when I think that something I said may have been taken the wrong way or hurt someone's feelings. I think about it, then I think about it again, and again, and again almost as if going through the situation and everything that was said might change things.

Since I've started saying these brief prayers, I decided to ask Christ for Rehashing Things Grace and you know what the thought no longer went through my mind like a computer loop. Additionally, I felt that if Christ stopped me from rehashing this situation, He was going to take care of it and didn't want me worrying about it.

Blaming Grace

Have you ever been around others who blame everyone and their brother for the things that happen in their lives, but never take any of the responsibility for them? I surely have and I have little tolerance with them. 

Of course, I've never done this! I say this tongue in cheek, because I know I have, but it doesn't seem so frustrating when I've done it. It's funny how we get annoyed with faults that other people have, but rarely see those faults in ourselves.

Anyway, I was by someone who was blaming everyone for their situation, but took no responsibility, but I was starting to feel compelled to enlighten this person!!!! Fortunately, instead I prayed to Christ for Blaming Grace. At the time, there wasn't time to say an elaborate prayer and explain to Christ what was happening and that I needed Him to give me grace, so that I didn't say something I would soon forget. I have found that if I pray a brief prayer asking Christ for grace, He give it to me without all the elaborate prayer. It's an amazing thing and I wish more people understand how Christ calms me down in seconds, when frustrating situations arise. Feel free to share this post with others who might benefit from learning about Brief Prayer at Christ's Grace Abounds https://christsgraceabounds.blogspot.com

Rushing Grace

I'm not always realistic about how much I can get done in a particular time. Therefore, I tend to end up rushing to get to someplace or to get something done, so I can rush to someplace.

When I'm rushing around, I'm not as patient as I normally would be and some things that interfere with my getting done in time, can be viewed as an annoyance. 

One time, while I was rushing around, I felt someone was interfering with getting done on time. It felt like it was deliberate, because I had explained that I was in a hurry to do such and such. In reality, it probably wasn't a deliberate action, but it sure felt that way and I could feel the frustration rumbling up inside me and was about to leak out all over the place. Instead, I prayed to Christ for Rushing Grace.  Although these two words aren't significant, in and of themselves, Christ knows what was going on when I said that brief prayer and He gave me the grace, so that I didn't say angry things out of frustration with the person who was interfering with my being able to get everything done on time. Brief prayers are really worth trying the next time, you feel yourself getting frustrated.

Wrong Turn Grace

Now, when someone makes a wrong turn in the neighborhood, it's not such a big deal. It's not generally the case when you make a wrong turn off the interstate on one of dozen's of off ramps going this way and that, leading to parts unknown.

I was assisting by reading our GPS directions and shared that we were supposed to take a specific off-ramp, but the driver took the one just prior to it, rather than the one I had stated.

All these frustrated words started bubbling up inside of me as we were heading off on a ramp that would us further away from our intended destination, when I prayed for Christ's Wrong Turn Grace. There isn't a particular grace called a Wrong Turn Grace, but Christ wants us to go to Him in all aspects of our lives. I've found that when there are intense situations, I'm not always able to say a well-thought out, elaborate prayer, so if I pray to Christ something like, "I need Wrong Turn Grace," He knows what my needs are, and that frustration settles down and angry words don't leak out of my mouth that I would regret later. It's really worth trying!!!

Long Line Grace

I hate long lines! I'm not sure that anyone really likes long lines. I can't believe someone would say, "Oh, there's a really long line. I'm going to stand there, because I haven't much to do this afternoon and I can't think of anything I would enjoy more."

I have been known to line hop ( going from line to line to find a shorter one) or I've left the store if I the item I was getting wasn't really worth waiting in a long line.  This time was different, because I really needed the item, but of course, I was really short of time.

I was starting to get frustrated, because I could tell that it was going to take even longer than I anticipated, but then remembered to pray to Christ for Long Line Grace. Christ wants us to turn to Him in all aspects of our life, even when there situations where there isn't enough time to say an elaborate prayer. I've been so amazed that every time I pray a brief prayer related to the situation at hand, Christ always gives me a sense of calm, my reaction changes, and words don't come out my mouth that I would regret. I'm very blessed to have found this additional new way of praying in short bursts of time. It has made an amazing change in my life! If you know others who would benefit from these brief prayers, have them read Christ's Grace Abounds at https://christsgraceabounds.blogspot.com

Cookie Grace

Have you ever been with someone who is low blood sugar and you tried to remind them of why that is happening? It's not one of my better choices in life.  Now, I can understand this, because I have Hypoglycemia and when I eat processed sugar, like in ice cream, or skip a meal, I get low blood sugar.

Sometimes it's easy when you think you understand these things, that you can enlighten other people to spare them future anguish, but that's not generally how it goes. I was around someone who was showing signs of low blood sugar. I call it the Cranky-Crabbies and have been guilty of this myself more times than I would like to admit.

Well, this time, I tried to explain the reason they were feeling so frustrated with everything had more to do with all the cookies they had eaten a little earlier than what was actually going on at the time. BIG mistake! That person not only didn't listen to what I shared, so they could better understand, they got upset with me. At that point, I prayed for Christ to give me Cookie Grace, so the other person and I could both move forward and for this to not be something that harmed our future interactions.

Change Mind Grace

Have you ever interacted with another person and gone over all the details of a situation to draw a mutual decision on how it should be handled, only to have them change their mind all off a sudden at the last minute?

Obviously, I have! In this case, I prayed asking Christ for Change of Mind Grace. Fortunately, so, because I might have said something to the other person that I would live to regret. I'm so glad that Christ reminds me so often that prayer is the way to handle things, because the words that are said can't be taken back.

Smacking Grace

Have you ever been sitting close to someone who is smacking their lips? I sure have. You somewhat understand when it's a child, but it's especially annoying when it's an adult and they don't just do this one, but continue to smack their lips.

I have found that it doesn't pay to say anything about annoyances like this to some people, because they generally tend to do it even more, which is even more annoying. 

In this case, Christ was on my heart reminding me that praying for Smacking Grace was much better than complaining to the other person. As soon as I did, I calmed down and the smacking didn't seem to get on my nerves as much.

Crumb Grace

I was driving with someone who doesn't like crumbs, so this person who was driving took both hands off of the steering wheel to pick up the crumbs that had fallen here, there, and everywhere. 

I started to get upset, but knew it wouldn't do any good, so I needed Crumb Grace from Christ, so I didn't loose my cool and say something counterproductive to the person who wanted everything neat. 

Forgiveness Grace

After writing about my frustration with a business man, it was on my heart that it was important to forgive him. I thought that I was supposed to call and let him know that I wasn't upset with him, but just frustrated, because of the timing.

I talked myself out of it and went back to typing. Another two times, I got the feeling that I should call and apologize. I finally did, but it had to be relayed through a receptionist. Later that evening, I got a phone call at my home from this person, long after work hours. 

God's the one who gave me Forgiveness Grace. He's the one who knew what both our hearts needed. Although I was so reluctant to make the call, but I'm so glad I finally listened and made the call. 

Tactful Discussion Grace

I was scheduled for an appointment with a physician that wanted me to try a medication that I didn't think was a good option for me. Any time that one of the primary side affects is cancer, it's a big NO in my book.

I tried to plan my conversation with the physician, because I was certain she would ask me about it.  Every time I played this discussion through in my head, it came across in a way that was less than desirable. 

I didn't want to be disrespectful or argumentative, but I didn't want to take that medication, either. I realized that I was closing my mind off to what Christ might want in this situation, by making my mind up before hand. I prayed to Christ about the discussion I would be having with the physician. He gave me Tactful Discussion Grace, although I didn't use that term when I prayed. Our prayers don't have to have labels, because Christ already knows what is in our heart and knows what we need. I prayed asking for me to be open to what Christ wanted, not what I wanted. I prayed about the tone of the conversation and that I wanted to be gracious and respectful. 

You know what, every part of the conversation went well. She mentioned the medication, but decided to wait until further tests before readdressing the topic. The tone of the conversation was pleasant, which was so surprising, because I had really stressed out about it for a day or so prior to the doctor visit when all I needed to do is pray and ask for Christ's grace!

Uncertainty Grace

I wasn't sure what to do. I wanted to make a major decision, but had pros and cons in my head. I was bombarding myself with all the reasons the thing was either a good or a bad idea.

Then I remembered, Christ knows what is best! I prayed and prayed for Him to be in charge of my decisions. Although I didn't specifically ask for Uncertainty Grace, that's exactly what Christ gave me. Additionally, He gave me the feeling that He was guiding things in the way that was best, which gave me no reason to keep torturing myself over whether I made a good or bad decision. If that's the way that Christ guided me, it was the right decision! No doubt about it.

Impatience Grace

I had some business to take care of that was somewhat involved. I called the key person to explain and he really didn't want to deal with it, but said he'd get back to me, but he didn't. I called after a couple of days, and we readdressed the options available. He said he'd get back to me, but didn't, so I called after about 4 more days.

He agreed to a particular plan, but there were several steps involved in it. I asked if he could sent me his portion of the paperwork, so I could get my Ducks-in-a-Row to get this business finalized. He said he would, but it never came in the mail.

I waited several days after it should have gotten here and I called and left a message, because he wasn't in the office at that moment. I was told he'd call back, but he didn't. I called again today and left another message, but he's not at work today. The receptionist said she was sending him an email and he would contact me. At this point, I'm not sure I expect that to happen. Right now, I need to pay for Impatience Grace for me, because my frustration in this matter only hurts me and isn't what Christ would want for me or from me.

Offensive Language Grace

It bothers me when someone uses God's name in vain. That's especially so after reading all the Bible verses where we are told about how much God doesn't want us to do this. (See Bible Passages below)

The thing is, there are some people who will use offensive language much more frequently when they know they bug you. I don't understand this distorted sense of logic, but there are those who commonly do this. In this case, it is much better for me to say a quick prayer asking for Offensive Language Grace, rather than let myself be sucked into a counter-productive discussion on the topic, especially when they aren't going to be open to trying to understand why saying those things would even be problematic. 
                               
                                                 Bible Verses Against Using God's Name in Vain

Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the Name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in vain. 

Leviticus 19:12 And ye shall not swear by My Name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the Name of thy God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 24:15-16.And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.  And he that blasphemeth the Name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the Name of the LORD, shall be put to death. 

Deuteronomy 5:11 Thou shalt not take the Name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in vain.

Psalm 139:19-20 Surely Thou wilt slay the wicked, O God; depart from me therefore, ye bloody men, For they speak against Thee wickedly, and Thine enemies take Thy Name in vain. 

Colossians 3: 8-10.But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created Him. 

Matthew 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Mark 3: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

Running Out of Time Grace

I find that the closer I get to my arbitrary deadline for finishing a particular project, I get more stressed and high-strung.  Is someone else saying I have to finish the project by a certain time? No! It's me! Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy.

Instead, I should be kinder to myself and ask for Christ's Running Out of Time Grace. That way, my goals would be much more reasonable and I wouldn't be so inclined to mentally beat myself up if I can't live up to the time line I have picked for doing he activity.

Quibbling Grace

I have been around people of all ages who have been quibbling over one thing or another. First of all, it's annoying to me to be around that type of interaction. I can jump right in and try to show all parties the error of their ways, but usually they are too far into it to be distracted from the initial issues. 

I have found that when I pray it makes me calmer when I'm around people who are quibbling and I should try to walk far enough away, so that I don't get pulled in the middle of this. In the future, I should say a quick prayer asking for Quibbling Grace first thing. Christ will give me the instincts of how to best handle the situation.

Text Editing Grace

Well, I have a flip phone which takes quite a while to write some messages. For those of you who may have forgotten, in order to text the words "said", you have to push the "7" key four times to get the "s", push the "2" key once to get the "a", push the"4" key three times to get the "i", and push the "3" key once to get the "d".

Anyway, it takes some time to write a more involved text. I asked someone to listen to it, so see if it made sense and would not be offensive to someone who was going to read it. (That's the tricky thing about having conversations with people by email or text, because they can read into these messages attitudes, sarcasm, etc. that are non-existent.) Anyway, that's why I asked this person's opinion.

After asking for their opinion, the whole thing went south! It's not that they thought anything could be misconstrued as offensive, but they wanted me to re-write the whole text that had taken me 20 minutes to create in the first place. I was feeling frustrated with their suggestions and the time it would take me to redo the whole text, when I prayed for Christ's Text Editing Grace. Of course, there is no special grace really called this. I have found that when I'm frustrated, I can say a really brief prayer to Christ, who already knows what's going on and pray something like, "Please give me Text Editing Grace, " and He does! It's amazing that Christ will respond to such a brief prayer, but He wants us to turn to Him in all aspects of our lives and there are times when it's not really conducive to saying an elaborate prayer.

After saying the brief prayer, I was led to listen more politely to the person's suggestions of how they thought I should reconstruct the whole text more for style than for the meaning of it. It saved an argument that had been about to leak out of my mouth any second, and it reduced my tension. I thanked the person for their suggestions and then re-read the text I wrote to see if it would be better off if I made any changes. If you would like to read more posts like this, you can find them at Christ's Grace Abounds on: https://christsgraceabounds.blogspot.com

Insert Foot Grace

I recently knew a subject was a potentially problematic one for someone I knew. I knew this, because a comment had already been made about it. I made light of it, because it was far past my comprehension to believe it could cause any problems, so I moved forward with discussing it. Big Mistake!

Not only was the other person not on the same page with me, but my trying to discuss it may have seemed like I was saying the issue was trivial, when it wasn't to the other person. Why did I go ahead and try to discuss it when I already knew it was a hot topic for the other person? 

Sometimes, I can go through things in my head over and over and challenge everything that was said and done, but does it help anything? Usually not! I'm better off to pray and ask Christ for Insert Foot Grace, so that I don't keep analyzing what I should have done instead and just let it be.

Wrong Way Grace

Have you ever been around someone and you can tell they may go the wrong ways, so you warn them? But they still turn the wrong way after you already suggested they go the opposite way.

There have been times in my life where I may have felt justified to say something like, "Why did you turn that way? Didn't you hear me tell you that we need to go the other way?" Although I have to admit I've made a few too many comments like this in my life, they aren't really very productive. Additionally, they make me a poor example of Christ's forgiving grace in my life. Instead, I should say a brief prayer asking for Wrong Way Grace, so that I'm supportive of the person who just made a wrong turn instead of judgmental of them. I wouldn't want Christ judging me over every wrong turn I've made in my life, both literally and figuratively!

News Too Loud Grace

I was trying to watch You Tube videos to insert into one of the other Christian blogs that I felt led to create. My husband said that he wanted to watch the news. We talked about us mutually keeping the volume down on the TV and the computer, so that we both could hear what we were watching.

Well, need I say more? The volume kept being too high for me to hear the videos to see which were the ones I needed to insert into the blog and had to keep reminding him. Then, Christ showed me that I needed to be more accommodating and less frustrated. Although I didn't say a specific brief prayer, I was reluctantly open to the suggestion that Christ had in my mind when He gave me the News Too Loud Grace. I told my husband that I could turn my computer off and do it another time, if my viewing videos was keeping him from listening to the news and he said it was fine. 

That was a very gracious thing for him to say, when he could have said, "Yes, please close out of your computer, because I can't hear the news very well," but he didn't. It gave me a deeper appreciation for my husband and his thoughtfulness, which I don't always focus on as much as I should. 

Dirty Fingerprint Grace

Recently I was cleaning up the accumulation of dirty fingerprints on the doors, cupboards, etc. Normally, this isn't something I look forward to doing, since it's somewhat tedious. This time, Christ had given me Dirty Fingerprint Grace, where instead of being frustrated, I thought about the height of each of the fingerprints I was cleaning and who must have left them there.

I wasn't frustrated in the least and it seemed that I enjoyed cleaning the fingerprints while thinking of my loved ones who had left them. Although I hadn't prayed for this Grace that Christ so freely gave me, I'll need to remember to pray for Dirty Fingerprint Grace in the future to make that household task much more pleasant.

Out of Line Grace

I was in a store that was full to the hilt. People were everywhere! I decided to shop more and wait for the long line to go down, since it's not my favorite thing to wait in long lines.

When it did, I lined up behind another woman. She left the line and started looking at other things. Knowing that I've done things like that before instead of waiting in long lines, I asked the lady if she wanted to be next when the salesperson called me to the counter.

She declined coming back to the line and continued to shop, which really isn't the point of this post. It's that Christ gave me Out of Line Grace, where it didn't bother me when the lady left the line to shop while waiting. 

Too Picky Grace

Someone had made a nice salad for me, but something slimy came out of the vinegar bottle. I must have screeched a little when I saw this silver dollar sized blob of slime plop onto my salad. The more I thought about this, the more the mere thought of eating the salad made my stomach queezy. 

The person who made the salad had seen the slime blob, but thought I was making a big deal about nothing, so I offered that person the salad I wasn't going to eat. Although I can understand now how that sounds sarcastic, it truly wasn't my intent. 

After much counterproductive banter, I needed some quiet time to say a brief prayer. I thought I was being prayerful about the other person's actions, but it turns out that I needed to be praying for Too Picky Grace. Once I was open to listening, I felt Christ's calm and went and apologized to the other person. Regardless of how the slime blob grossed me out, I needed to be sensitive to how it made the person feel who made the salad and make amends.

Snide Remark Grace

Have you ever been around anyone who makes snide remarks that just get under your skin? These little digs are extremely frustrating and give the other person the power to make us upset.

Instead of buying into those snide remarks, I would do much better in the future, if I would say a brief prayer about Snide Remark Grace, so I don't fuel the fire that the other person is trying to kindle.

Double Standard Grace

Someone had shared some food, which was very thoughtful. It appeared that there were somethings that would only feed one, but not all. I was upset, at first, when I saw that someone grabbed up what was desired with no thought of sharing it with others.

I went from frustrated, to being prayerful about the situation until it no longer bothered me. During my prayerful time, Christ led me to remember that I had eyed the same foods and might not have seen it as rude to take it solely for myself, as I have done at other times in my life. With this in mind, I needed to be prayerful about having a Double Standard Grace, judging others by something I'm guilty of doing myself.

Skimmer's Grace

We recently had our credit card compromised. Things of this nature irritate me to no end, especially because it's such a deliberate, calculating type of crime that affects so many people.  Anyway, I talked with the Fraud Department at our bank to get the matter rectified.

The next day when I said my prayers, it came into my mind to ask for Skimmer's Grace, so that Christ would turn around the lives of people who do skimming, identity theft, etc, so that they would come to know Christ in their lives and lead the lives that He would want of them. 

I was amazed at how much calmer I felt about the situation, although that hadn't been the intent of this brief prayer. I need to start praying for the Telemarketers, etc., as well.

Yelling Match Grace

Have you ever been in a situation with someone who didn't hear exactly what you said and got their feathers ruffled and started yelling about it? This happened to me recently. I tried to explain what they misunderstood, but they couldn't hear me, because they were too upset and were yelling.

Now, the smart thing would have been to say a brief prayer for Yelling Match Grace,  for Christ to de-escalate the situation and for everyone to be open to a discussion on the matter. Unfortunately, I didn't think of that until after the fact.

Instead, I joined in the yelling thinking that if the other person heard what I said, it would clarify the whole situation. Did that happen? No way! When people are yelling, they just aren't open to hearing anything, at that point, no matter how reasonable it is. They need time to calm down, before they can be open to listening....well, maybe, next time I'll remember!

Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda Grace

Now, I'm here to tell you, that I truly wish I had prayed for Christ's grace, but did I? No! I just went ahead in my frustration and said less than thoughtful things to two different people I care about. 

I wish I had paid attention to my feelings and kept my mouth shut and said a brief prayer for Christ to take care of my words, but I didn't. Whenever I do say the brief prayers, Christ does take care of the words, so why didn't I do it this time? I don't know, but I let the frustration take lead instead of Christ and regret it!!!!

I apologized to both people and they accepted it, but I know that my words hurt. In fact, I apologized several times, but it didn't make them or me feel any better about what was said. Now, all I can do is to ask for Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda Grace, so I can forgive myself!

I'd Rather Be Dong Anything Else Grace

There have been times when I need to do a project for Christ, but have twenty other things on my personal list I've been trying to fit in. Jesus doesn't say, "I'm too busy to listen to Debbie's prayers and concerns, because I have so many other things to do, she'll just have to wait until later."

I'm very blessed He doesn't do that, because I probably deserve a response like that. Fortunately, Christ is all-forgiving when we ask Him, but He does want us to make Him a priority in our lives. I need to be mindful and say a brief prayer for I'd Rather Be Doing anything Else Grace, so Christ re-focuses me and makes me more open to doing His will.

Phone Call Grace

I know Christ wants us to show kindness to widows, widowers and those who are alone.  Sometimes they are lonely and a phone call can make so much difference. Unfortunately, I'm not a great conversationalist and I run into two different types of difficulties in these situations.

One, they just want someone to talk to and want the phone conversation to go on and on long after I've run out of anything decent to say. The other is that they want you to call frequently, which makes it difficult to find the time to do this more regularly and also to find new things to talk about.

Well, Christ didn't say, "I'm too busy to give my life for Debbie and all those others who think their time is important, so I'll have to rethink this." It makes me much more aware that I have to give up my self-centered ways and say a brief prayer for Phone Grace, knowing that we are befriending those who are alone on Christ's behalf.

Humility Grace

Sometimes it's hard to be humble when you've had this spectacular idea, but that's what Christ wants. When you feel it's going to leak right out of you anyway, it's good to say a brief prayer for Christ's Humility Grace, so that we are examples of the positive influence Christ has had in our lives!

Lethargic Grace

Sometimes, we all happen to be around someone who doesn't have any energy to get started on a particular project or some act this way for any project.

It could be easy to shame them into action, but would we be acting as the Christians that Christ wants us to be? Probably not! Besides, I really wouldn't want someone to do that to me if I ever didn't have the get-up-and-go to get a project done. So, it works better to say a brief prayer for Lethargic Grace, so that we don't let their inaction get the best of us and for us to say something rude instead.

Bragging Grace

Have you ever been around people that they brag about all the wonderful things their relatives are doing? Sometimes, the events they mention aren't even all that spectacular, but you know Christ wouldn't want you to set them straight or one-up them by bragging, too.

That's when I have to pray for Christ's Bragging Grace. He lets me know that it's not that important in the scheme of things and He wants our behavior to be indicative of the positive influence He's had on our lives!

In the Cold Grace

I got out of the car and it was breezy. The driver of the car, looked in the backseat for something while I stood out in the cold. Then, the driver straightened the seat belt, while I stood out in the cold. Finally, the driver took off their coat and put it in the car while I stood out in the cold.

Then the biggest smile crossed my face as Christ reminded me that I should ask for In the Cold Grace instead of being frustrated and I did! Christ showed me that was much better to let go of these petty annoyances instead of being frustrated with the driver doing all these things while I was left standing in the cold. 

I'll tell you, it brightened my attitude and the cold didn't seem to bother me as much. At that point, it was all small potatoes!

Over Tired Grace

I'm sure we've all had times when we're over tired and just want to stop whatever we are doing and go crawl up somewhere and just take a nap. That's how I feel right now! 

Just because I feel that way, doesn't mean I should do it. If I did that this close to the time to pick up my grandsons from school, I would most likely fall asleep and not get them in time.

Wanting to always be responsible, I'm praying for Christ's Over Tired Grace. I know He will help refocus and refresh me. I am so very blessed!!!!

Being Prideful Grace

God allowed me to accomplish something that I thought was impossible for me. I wanted to share it with others, because I was excited about it. Christ had me realize that God wouldn't want me boasting about something, especially something that totally came from Him and not from me.

I need to be prayerful asking for Being Prideful Grace. I need to focus less on taking credit and more on giving credit to whom it is due, which is Christ. If it weren't for Him, this would have never been possible!

Making Mistakes Grace

The other day, I wrote a note to other members of my exercise class. I got the dates for an event wrong. I apologized to everyone and continued to say things to put myself down.

I don't think Christ wants us putting ourselves down. If He forgives me in all my many, many mistakes, shouldn't I pray to Him for Making Mistakes Grace, so I could forgive myself for not being perfect and making mistakes? You bet and I need to do so next time!

Anti Political Talk Grace

Sometimes, I hear about political things on the TV that get on my last nerve. It's easy to spout out my disapproval, but what type of role model am I being? Am I the role model I need to be if I make comments like that in front of my grandchildren?

No! It's not easy to ask for Christ's Anti Political Talk Grace and take a deep breath before saying something more appropriate. I can't say that I've always done this, but would like to be more consistently gracious in situations that bring about political frustration! 

Loud TV Grace

I was trying to read my Bible, but the TV was turned up loud, so loud that it made it difficult to focus on the Bible passages that I was reading. I wanted to walk out of the room in a huff, but thought that was counterproductive.

What I did was try to hold my hands over my ears to muffle some of the sound, but it still wasn't easy to focus on what I had read. I was afraid that if I said something it would have come out sarcastically. I should have remembered that I could have prayed for Christ's Loud TV Grace. Did I do it? No, but when I thought about things later, I realize that I need to be mindful about praying for Christ's grace next time.