And all spoke well of Him

and marveled at the

    gracious words

that were coming out of His mouth.

                 Luke 4. 22

(People in all places

     and situations and times

are always surprised by grace.

How we approach circumstances,

how we respond to others

    --even the impossible ones--

are a strong witness

         to God's transformation in us.

What makes a difference in us?

     That would be Jesus.

It is not that we are just nice people,

        but forgiven ones.

We know what grace does.)

O LORD,

May we know fully

   what You have done for us.

May we be marked by Your grace

    as we head out into this day.

Grant to us gracious words

    in unlikely situations

that You may be proclaimed

      by our lives.

Help us to live in such a way

   that others wonder

   by Your grace in us,

          freely given to them.