Where's the grace?

My heart is very heavy this week. After the elation of last week - isn't it just like the enemy to try and knock is off our mountaintop?

A sweet member of our Bible study gave us a verse(s) from Rom. 15 on unity. Little did she know how prophetic her casual mention of this passage would be in my life!
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Rom 15:4-7

As Christians sometimes we have a really hard time accepting one another. Let's be honest. You know it's true. Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying we have to accept behaviors, but accept each other. Why is it when a member of our "body" messes up - even if it's someone in a leadership role - we have such a hard time allowing them to be human? Why is it when someone we consider to be a spiritual "powerhouse" drops the ball or just loses their focus we get in an uproar? I know that leaders are held to a higher standard - I really get that - however, they have this sin nature that they wrestle with just like the rest of us.

Why is it we have such a hard time extending grace? This is my prayer for the week. More grace! Grace to those under my roof. Grace to those in my "circle". Grace to those in my life. When I think about the grace God the Father has extended to me - WOW! I mean, let's get real here. There was a time in my life when I COMPLETELY turned my back on Him. A time when I mocked Him, when I REFUSED to give Him control of "my" life and yet...He looked on me in love and FORGAVE!! Truly amazing grace!

Take time this week to show some grace. It'll change your heart! It's changing mine!!