#1 Grace: The Underserved Gift.

A few years ago, I had a moment I’ll never forget—a moment where I learned the true power of grace. It was a Wednesday, and I was heading to the mall. On the way, I stopped at a gas station. As I pulled out of my spot, another car parked next to me. We exchanged waves, and they turned on their blinkers to back into their spot. But I was impatient. I tried to squeeze past them just as they started reversing.

CRUNCH.

I hit their car and shattered their taillight. My heart sank. I jumped out, ran to their window, and started apologizing like crazy. I was ready to hand over my info and brace for the insurance nightmare ahead. But then, something unexpected happened. The man in the driver’s seat looked at me calmly and said, “Hey, accidents happen. I’m not looking to make money off you. It’s okay.” Wait…what?! He had every right to demand I pay for the damages. But instead of holding me accountable, he chose to let me go. He showed me grace—undeserved kindness—and it changed me.

What is grace? Grace is giving love and favor to others, even when they don’t deserve it. It’s forgiving mistakes and extending mercy when we could hold grudges. As Christians, we are called to love others the way Christ loves us. Let’s be real—none of us are perfect. How many times have we messed up, broken promises, or fallen short? Yet, God blesses us, forgives us, and loves us anyway.

This week’s challenge: Look for opportunities to show grace. Maybe it’s forgiving someone who let you down, or being patient with a stranger in a hurry. Remember, grace isn’t about who deserves it—it’s about reflecting the love we’ve already received.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5

Let’s make the world a little brighter this week by choosing grace. You never know who needs that second chance.