Who are your EGNs?

We all have them.

We may even be them at times.

Family members, coworkers, church aquaintances, strangers on the street.

They can be found anywhere.

They are the E.G.N., or Extra Grace Needed, people in our lives.

I admit, I don't always feel the ability to gracefully, and gently, handle the EGNs in my life. It can depend on my day, the little things that have pushed my buttons, my level of fatigue, or even just the weather. I'm sure I can let out a too-audible sigh or not-so-accidental roll of the eyes when I am not in the mood to deal with the people that require more from me than I feel able to give.

The woman at church who takes every change as a personal attack...

The baby who's been sick with colds and ear infections for 3 months...

The driver that, through his own errors in driving, nearly caused an accident and then gives you some unhealthy gestures...

All requiring, for different reasons, an extra bit of grace.

Jesus had so many people requiring extra from Him. Nicodemus, who came at night so he wouldn't be seen by his peers, and couldn't grasp Jesus' message...Martha, with her exasperation at her sister's apparent dawdling...the bleeding woman who touched His garment to "steal" a bit of healing...and dozens more taking and taking at every turn.

And He just kept on giving, even while He hung on the cross.

So today, I will open the well of grace, that I have been promised, and freely offer it to anyone who requires it. I will set aside my daily annoyances to breathe in the grace available to me and breathe it out to those around me. I will reflect what I see in Christ, to become more like Him in my every day connections and crossings with those in my life.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Col.3:12-13