I was traveling through the Carolinas and Georgia recently and needed to meet with a friend of mine. We were about 2 hours apart so we selected a Starbucks just off I-85 that would be about halfway between us. After I arrived, I ordered one of my favorites (grande’ double-dirty soy chai), and we began our meeting. A short time later, my friend decided he wanted a strawberry Vivanno smoothie. He paid for his drink, and we quickly became engrossed in our meeting again. About 15 minutes later, it dawned on him that he hadn’t received his drink, so he went back to the counter to find out what was taking so long. He learned that they had made his drink and called for him, but he never came to the counter. In fact, because the drink melts, they had remade the drink and called for him a second time. Yet without hesitation, they made his drink a third time and even brought it directly to him. And on top of that, they gave him a free drink coupon!
Later that evening, my wife and I decided to grab dinner at one of our favorite South Carolina barbeque spots. We knew they were closing soon, so we hurried across town getting there at 8:53 pm, just 7 minutes before they locked the doors. The owner said he would take our order because we “just made it”. One more couple even squeezed in behind us to the chagrin of the owner, who then commented that he was “going to have to start closing at 8:45”. While we were ordering, I noticed they had a mix-up with a couple of their takeout orders. The owner’s explanation was, “That’s what happens when people come in at the last minute”.
We got our dinner and as we sat down, I couldn’t help but contrast this experience with the one at Starbucks earlier that day. On one hand, you have an owner that was not discrete in his aggravation with people arriving at the end of the day to patronize his business. On the other hand, because my friend and I weren’t paying attention, Starbucks had to make his drink 3 times. Instead of blaming us, they apologized and gave us a coupon inviting us back. I don’t want to judge the heart of the barbeque owner because I don’t know what kind of day he had, let alone the context of his story. But the attitude of the barista was grace filled – he didn’t give us what we deserved, he gave us something beyond our expectations. Which place would you be more excited about going back to?
As Christ-followers, we have experienced the most powerful expression of grace in history. I believe we honor that grace when we have the chance to bless others instead of giving them what they deserve. We honor Jesus when we forgive AND forget AND bless. It’s good to live in the grace we receive, and it’s good to have a posture of giving grace out of the overflow of what we have received.
When you have a choice between dealing justice and giving grace, choose grace. It brings people back to Jesus.
“…to the praise of his glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.” Ephesians 1:6
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