Weekly Thought – September 29, 2026
Fred and Mary Alice read “My Utmost For His Highest” everyday for nearly 50 years. Their first copy was given to them by Mrs. Orene Howard of Phoenix. Fred considered her the epitome of graciousness. It was a virtue he aspired to acquire. As a young businessman, he identified Will McGrath, CEO of a Cincinnati company who exemplified graciousness. He asked for a signed photograph and kept it in his office to remind him of the importance of living a life of grace.
Grace To You
It is hard for me to envision a mature Christian who isn’t gracious. Only in recognizing what we have been given in the gift of salvation do we really understand true grace. It is our privilege to be a distributor of grace to others. Gracious people cover the faults of others with love; tolerate mistakes; forego judgment; and, give encouragement.
Grace, like gratitude, is a flow through emotion. To keep it to ourselves is futile – it only rots like day old manna. We are shown grace in order to show grace to others. The constant flow refreshes us. I commented on a woman’s graciousness once and she responded: “Fred, thanks for noticing. I have dedicated it to Jesus Christ.”
There is a distinct difference between courtesy and graciousness. Courtesy can be used to manipulate others; grace has a purity of motive.
“Christians are supposed to be gracious, so working on it makes it phony.” I think that’s baloney. Reflexive grace is the result of good habits which are the results of conscious choices. We do it by an act of the will (and the help of the Spirit) until it becomes a knee jerk reaction and looks like our “natural self.” I once met the maid of violinist Heifetz. “You are so fortunate to work for such a great violinist.” “No, he’s a fake.” I was shocked and asked what she meant. “Well, when he stands out there and plays it looks so easy and he does it without any music, but I know better.” “At home he practices and practices, using music. Then he gets up there and plays all different.” I have always said the sign of a true genius is that the performance looks simple enough for anyone else to do it. He wasn’t a phony – he was a conscious perfectionist. Being gracious is like that – we need to practice until it looks easy.
Graciousness is the thoughtful, generous, unselfish wishing the best for the other person. It is one of God’s qualities and I would say that makes it a worthwhile goal for me.
This week think about: 1) Who is the most gracious person I know? 2) How hard am I working on being “full of grace?”3) Who do I need to thank for their graciousness?
Words of Wisdom: “Reflexive grace is the result of good habits which are the results of conscious choices.”
Words of Wisdom: “The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you.” (Numbers 6:25 NET Bible)