Spreading Grace

I have been thinking through an illustration that I shared last Sunday. Paul wrote in Romans 12 that he spoke "by the grace" given him. Paul attributed his ability to share teaching with the church (as an apostle) to the grace of God. As I study the context of his writing it is clear that God's grace was not only the source of the message, but also of his authority and credibility. Last week I mentioned that God gives each of us grace. I compared it to carrying around a bucket full of grace that God expects us to pour on others each day. Now that I am a few days into the week, it's worth taking some time and considering how much my speeach and actions have been grace-filled. It's not always easy to reflect on such things. Every day I have encountered many people in many different situations. Certainly I have overlooked golden opportunities to pour out some grace. Sometimes I have been in a hurry, sometimes distracted. Sometimes I have been more interested in dipping into the bucket for myself rather than sharing with others. How much grace have you poured over others this week? I have noticed that as soon as I pour out grace God replenishes the supply.