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“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them.”—EPHESIANS 2:8-10 (NRSVUE)

Reflect
We often have no idea how to deal with the things we’ve done—or the things done to us. Enter grace. But what even is grace? And more importantly, how do we get some? John Wesley, a guy who started a church tradition called Methodism, called grace “free, undeserved favor.” In other words, it’s like getting something good you didn’t earn, but hey, no one’s complaining. My friend Professor Willie Jennings says, “Grace is the ability to see through God's eyes for a moment.” When we give or receive grace, it is a chance for renewal. Grace is so full of love and kindness that when it touches our hearts, we can never be the same. We may not deserve it, but we get it anyway.

Respond
Are you really good at beating yourself up? Congrats, but maybe today, we could try something else. Mistakes happen—they’re just part of being human. Maybe learn what you can, and then—here’s the hard part—try to let the rest go. You deserve a little grace. Love is ready to fill the cracks, even the ones you made. Let it.

Blessing for finding grace for others (and ourselves)

Blessed are we, the graced.
We who don’t deserve it.
Whose failures haunt us.
The things we said.
The things we left unsaid.
The decisions, addictions
and broken relationships
that have ripple effects we still feel.
Somehow, we receive this mysterious gift.

Grace doesn’t erase pain we’ve caused.
But grace, still.
For us, the redeemable.

And if we are...that means they are too.
Yes—even them:
The rude neighbor.
The estranged father.
The unforgiving ex.
The boss who screwed you over.
The doctor who messed up.
The selfish pastor.
The family member who did the unthinkable.

Despite our mistakes we are graced.

Blessed are we who wrestle with unforgiveness.
You who make amends.
You who reach for forgiveness.
You who say you’re sorry even
if it’s not enough.
You who find the bridge
to forgive.
Even when you cannot forget.

Or can’t go back.
Or they aren’t nearly sorry enough.
Blessed are we who live here

In this mystery, this scandal, of grace.3

3 Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie. “For Finding Grace for Others (and Ourselves)” in The Lives We Actually Have: 100
Blessings for Imperfect Days. (New York: Convergent Books, 2023). 114-115.

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