A few weeks ago, I realized that I needed to renew my driver’s license. With what I wanted to do I had to go into an office. We all know the reputation the DMV has. It takes forever, it’s inconvenient, and it’s always your fault for not having a form that feels like it might not exist.

When I arrived, there was a woman directing the initial traffic and pre-checking forms of the people in the line. I was honestly amazed by her patience. Places like this involve the full cross-section of humanity. From the smartest, most organized, prepared people (like you and me), to the dumbest person you’re afraid to see behind a wheel (whomever you just thought of you owe an apology).

No matter who showed up this lady was happy, and welcoming, and excited to help. I’m pretty sure I heard her speak at least three languages too. She knew her job and was there to help. She may have dropped a few, “Ay, Dios Mío,” when someone was wildly unprepared, and then did what she needed to help them reach their goal.

You make a million choices every day; not the least of which is how you treat the people around you. We need to remember the grace and love we have been given and then try and share that with the people around us.

Paul in 1 Timothy 1:12-15 says,

“12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

We’ve all had moments when we were the one who showed up unprepared. We were the ones that needed help. The grace we received should be an inspiration for the grace we are able to offer the people we meet even if they make us say, “Ay, Dios Mío.”