That Grace May Abound

In an old Peanuts comic strip, Lucy answers the phone. It is Charlie Brown calling for her brother Linus. She calls for Linus, but he refuses to talk. “I’m not speaking to him. He insulted my belief,” Linus complains. “I’m not speaking to anyone who doesn’t believe in the ‘Great Pumpkin!’” Lucy replies, “Good luck with the world!”

Lucy is right! If we insist that everyone believe just like we do, we are going to have a hard time with the world. Pride does indeed have a way of hurting our relationships with others – even people we love.

Now, that’s not to say we shouldn’t have deep convictions. We should. And, of course, there will be times when we disagree and even argue our point with others. But, if we try and dominate every conversation, or beat people up with our point, or like Linus, we shut them out, then we only isolate ourselves.

There is an ancient Rabbinical saying, “There is no room for God in someone who is filled with himself.”
On the other hand, if we are able to listen to those with whom we disagree, and if we are able to treat them with love and respect, then we make room for our relationships to flourish. We also make room for God’s Spirit to move, and our experience of the world around us becomes a little more grace-filled and loving.

Let us pray: Loving God, we realize that we can’t make it alone for very long in life. We need other people. We need friends. Today, O God, we pray for healing in our relationships. Where are our pride has been destructive, help us to make amends. Grant us a sense of humility that your grace may abound. Amen.