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Our dog, Charlie, is about 55 pounds of furry goofiness.  He has often been described as a big, floppy, muppet of a dog.  Charlie is relatively well behaved now, but as a young dog he was prone to running off on adventures and was very good at playing “keep away” when we would try to bring him home.  He would come towards us when called, but would stop just out of reach and then would run off again, with a mischievous look.   

One day Charlie got away from me as a (fairly large) puppy and ran down our hill chasing leaves, squirrels, new smells and playing keep away from me.  I was frantically trying to catch him to make sure he didn't get hit by a car when a jogger came by and started angrily yelling at me to control my dog.  I was mortified.  I was trying so hard and was already struggling and worried that my dog might get hit by a car.  Having someone yelling at me and accusing me of being irresponsible just made the whole thing harder.  At about the same time, a man I didn't know came outside and asked if I needed help.  He went and got some treats and coaxed Charlie to him so that I could catch him.  I was so grateful for the gift of this small kindness and help that came without my even asking.  

This memory came to me recently and struck me as an illustration of how we can respond to our neighbors who are struggling.  Now, my dog should not have been off leash.  But, it wasn't something that I did intentionally (Charlie was a bit of an escape artist!) and in that moment it wasn’t something that I had control of.  Accidents happen.   

So many things in life are outside of our control. When we look at someone else, do we judge them without knowing the whole back story?  Or do we see a need, see them struggling, and do what we can to help?  

None of us are perfect.  We all make mistakes and we all have bad days.  And that means we will all fall short of God’s grace and make snap judgments about one another on occasion.  But the truth is, we are all in need of grace - God’s and each other’s.   

How has your life been impacted by grace extended to you?  When have you been helped at a time when you could easily have been judged?  Where do you have an opportunity to extend grace to others?  In what ways can you set judgment and preconceived ideas aside and instead extend a helping hand, a listening ear, or simple kindness?  

In all these ways - big and small - we have the opportunity to participate in God’s abundant grace and unconditional love.    

I’d love to hear what examples come to mind for you!  Email them to me at pastorheather@hclchurch.com.