Grace - I think I know her!

We are studying the book of Job in Sunday School right now. It amazes me how much grace is missing in the conversations between Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and Job. These guys are just outright mean. All accusatory and assuming ... very sure that they know why Job is suffering so. We are lucky because we have been privy to the conversations that took place prior to Job's suffering between God and Satan the Accuser. We know what's up; we know the plan. We know that God has such an unfailing confidence in Job that he tells Satan to go ahead and give it his "best shot!" But the "three amigos" don't know the "rest of the story." They're just relying on what tradition and experience has taught them. If this, then this. Seems pretty simple. Unless you're Job.

Don't we do the same in our own lives? Haven't you passed judgement upon someone you've seen, whether you know them or not, presuming that you have "the answer" to all their troubles? Or maybe you've got some sage advice about their actions or lack thereof. Pretty presumptory of ourselves when you get right down to it. But we all do it. We all get sucked in.
Yelling back at the tv - "I can't believe they did that" or "they ought to be arrested" or "they should have their children taken away", etc. etc.

Wouldn't it be grand if we could instead, offer them a little grace in their moment of need? After all, we don't know the whole situation. We are not privy to God's plan in their life, let alone our own! I think Bart Millard said it best:

I can only imagine
what my eyes will see
when your face is before me;
Surrounded by your glory
what will my heart feel?

Wouldn't it be grand if the world could be filled with nothing but grace? No more wars, no more hunger, no more need. Just a lotta love. What a wonderful world this would be!

Grace to you all,
Lisa