Grace to Stay or Go

Someone once said to me, "You no longer have the grace to do that."

I had been working at Red Robin for over three and a half years.  I was almost 30, had two girls at home and was working there to make a little extra money to help pay the bills.  It had been an amazing job.  I loved it in the beginning.  I loved seeing people and serving them.  I was very good at my job. 

Just before it was time for me to begin teaching again I found I didn't like the job anymore.  I didn't have patience for customers that treated me like I was worthless simply because I was their waitress.  I couldn't handle the tiny tips or no tips.  I got weary trying to encourage the new hires to do their job fully.  I simply didn't like it anymore.

I was telling a dear friend about this and she said, "You don't have the grace for that job anymore." 

Those words took the heavy load off my shoulders.  I didn't have to worry about how the job had become more difficult and that I struggled with my attitude.  I didn't have the grace to take it like I had before.  My eyes were opened.

It was time for me to move.  It was time for me to find a different job.  I didn't have to stress or worry or feel badly.  I knew it was time to begin a new season.

Over the years, this has happened again and again.  I've learned to recognize that my restlessness, unhappiness, frustrations, and impatience can sometimes be a signal that it is time to move on to something else.  The grace is gone. 

Be careful.  Difficult doesn't mean an absence of grace.  There are many difficult things that I take on each day knowing that they are mine.  I have the grace, the desire and the ability to take them on. 

I am thankful that we are given grace to handle all that comes our way.  Sometimes, when we feel that the situation is about to take us out, we need to wonder if the grace is gone and it is time to move on to what we do have grace for.