Being gracious in relationships...

I was reading today from Proverbs 31 Ministries and found a devotion with the title "Grace Covers". I wanted to share a few quotes from it because it's a good reminder in ALL our relationships that we need GRACE!

"Bringing criticism, judgment, and self-righteousness into your marriage is all too easy. Saying "Why didn't you…" "You should have…" or "I told you so" requires no effort. But being gracious is what we need in marriage, and that's what Christ calls us to be. We're human. We're going to disappoint one another. We're not always going to meet each others needs."
"We shouldn't spew hate. We should seek to understand. We should ask God for wisdom. We should love. Not necessarily in an "ushy-gushy, touchy-feely" sort of way; but rather, in an, "I am going to choose to react gently and behave kindly because that is what God is asking me to do" sort of way. Cementing this line of thinking in our mind will help us to make the right choice. There are things we will do because we are doing them for God that we otherwise might never do for a spouse, co-worker or friend who makes us mad!"
"The world is watching; sizing up how we behave. When we are one part of a divergence in personalities, what will they see? Stirred up strife or lovingly covered offenses?"

What if we were to stop stirring up strife when it comes to the people in our lives who have different personalities than us...they are OIL while we are WATER. Why do we put them down, pour water on their fire or think their passion is arrogance? Why is it hard to get past the fact that we all have differences in our personalities and that is OK. Is it pride because we might think someone is against us when really they are just being the person God made them to be and sharing the things that God put on their heart? God made us all different for a reason! In the body of Christ, some are the hands and some are the feet.

We're human and going to disappoint one another. We're not always going to meet each others needs. Being gracious is needed in our relationships, and that's what Christ calls us to be. This is something I have been thinking about for some time now while watching relationships and circumstances and discovering how amazing it is that we are all different!!!! I am thankful God knows our hearts and gives us grace. Don't others deserve that from us???