every day grace

Some days grace is extravagant, elegant, and noteworthy.  The kind of grace that you write books based on, compose lyrics for, and tell all your friends about.   But most days, at least for me, grace looks remarkably less... well, remarkable.  The everyday kind of grace that we're called to practice, whether anyone notices or not.

The kind of grace that's less rewarding to practice, rarely noticed in its presence, but is radically noticeable in its absence.   The kind of grace which sometimes I practice, and sometimes I willfully or unknowingly omit, excuse, and pass by - and almost all of the time, resent.

... grace to listen to the long-winded caller share their life story with you, even though you gave them the information they needed in the first minute.  Grace which gives empathy and a kind word rather than a terse reply, even though you have your own deadlines that you're struggling to meet.  Grace which treat him with dignity and respect, and doesn't joke about him once you get off the phone.

... grace to see the struggle in her eyes and voice, rather than just patiently dole out the policy-line and the procedure she needs to know.  Grace to offer a cup of coffee to a stranger and invite her to sit down, rather than turning her away because you can't help her professionally.

... grace to give up your seat, for the man with the cane, struggling to stand on a moving metro, even though your feet are tired, your back hurts, and there are 6 other people who are more able bodied than you who notice but do not respond.  Grace which doesn't bitterly scowl at said able-bodied people or resent them or judge them in their inaction.

... grace to smile at the old woman who scowls at you every day as you pass her on the street.  Grace to smile with your heart, not just your lips.

... grace which sees professionalism as a baseline, not the bar.

... grace to give your neighbor credit for turning the music off at midnight, rather than continuing to play it until wee hours of the morning.  Grace which stops bitter judgmental thoughts at the door and says no, not today.

... grace which gives benefit of the doubt.

Everyday grace.  Not extravagant, rarely beautiful, not worth the space to remark upon.  But daily, hard grace.  The kind that, in daily observation, builds a character of grace, not merely a characterization of grace.  This is the kind of grace that is not desirable to me, but in the long run, that I want to espose.