Thin Air, High Hope

As I journey through life, growing older, I find myself appreciating graceful people more and more. And when I say “graceful,” I don’t mean those who can elegantly balance a plate on their head. I’m talking about those remarkable individuals who see your flaws, your vulnerabilities, those parts of you that you might be ashamed of, and yet, they not only accept you but also make you feel like, just maybe, you’re perfectly “normal.”

In a world that can often be harsh and judgmental, we are bombarded daily with messages that highlight our inadequacies. Unfortunately, we also make our fair share of mistakes that seem to confirm those accusations. Furthermore, others will inevitably mess up, and sometimes their mistakes directly affect us.

So, how should we respond when someone disappoints us? What do we do when their blunder creates an inconvenience for us? When in doubt, the answer is grace. Actually, even if you’re certain that they deserve your judgment, consider extending grace. After all, there might be a time when you recall making a mistake you truly didn’t want to make (I could use myself as an example here, but that would turn this blog into a novel!). Chances are, they didn’t want to make that mistake either.

I can’t say for sure whether I make more mistakes as I age or if I simply become more aware of them. This week, I found myself reflecting on my dearest friends, the ones who witness all of my flaws and are often on the receiving end of my blunders.

I’m incredibly grateful that they consistently choose grace.