This is the year to practice abundant grace.
Everyone I know is experiencing emotional upheaval – on their own timeline. And in times of emotional upheaval, what we need more than anything from the people around us is grace. We need patience, support, guidance, and unconditional love.
Some needed it in April. Some will need it next week. We all need it sooner or later.
Providing abundant grace to all is a solid strategy, and accepting it when you need it is absolutely appropriate.
A student fell a little behind this week, and apologized, citing some pretty massive family challenges. I informed him, without hesitation, that I am in the business of making sure students learn, not in the business of punishing them for not learning on my schedule.
Of course, there are limits. There are those who will take abundant advantage of abundant grace, and we should be conscious of them and draw lines around what is appropriate and acceptable.
But the default should, must, be abundant grace. This year requires it. If we sacrifice some achievement along the way, so be it.
Hey – imagine this. Every year is the year to practice abundant grace. Once you’re good and practiced thanks to 2020, what is the downside to holding onto that practice in all the other years?