On being gracious

I've been thinking about the word gracious. Or should I say God has been bringing that word to the forefront in my readings. I've heard that word and read it in scripture many many times before. The other day I decided to look up the meaning of the word. I used a free trade card from http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.ca/ and added some touch-ups on picmonkey and  a scripture.

Gracious:

Gracious descends from the Latin word for good will. A gracious person wants everyone to be comfortable: a gracious host leaves extra blankets and some books on a variety of subjects out for overnight guests to enjoy. Even at a difficult moment, a gracious person remains thoughtful and kind, like the gracious way you treat a waiter who spills a glass of juice on your lap.

adj characterized by kindness and warm courtesy especially of a king to his subjects

Synonyms:

benignant

kind

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

adj exhibiting courtesy and politeness

Synonyms:

courteous, nice

polite

showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.

adj characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit

“gracious even to unexpected visitors”

“gracious living”

“he bears insult with gracious good humor”

Synonyms

friendly

characteristic of or befitting a friend

elegant, graceful, refined

suggesting taste, ease, and wealth

merciful

(used conventionally of royalty and high nobility) gracious

refined

(used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel

 

It really is a beautiful word. I have been thinking about how I can improve in this area and am so grateful that God is so gracious to us. Thinking about being gracious has made me realize how ungracious I can be. If we all incorporated a bit more graciousness in our lives it would make such a difference in the lives of others.

Blessings, Diane