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Too much grace isn't grace at all

"She comes across a little strong, don't you think? Shouldn't we just love people where they are? After all, love covers a multitude of sins."

"Yeah, but don't you think she'd want to know? Faithful are the wounds of a friend."

Have you ever been part of that conversation? Both people are quoting Scripture, and both are right. That's what makes it so hard.

This is step two of the Pendulum Process: discuss both sides.

On one side is truth. Honest feedback can show someone a blind spot and spark a real "aha" moment. But truth pushed over the edge becomes bluntness without timing or care. I've been there. Years ago I removed a dancer from a role in a drama without much discussion because she couldn't get the part right. I was right about the timing. I was wrong about how I handled her, and it hurt her.

On the other side is grace. Grace lets things go, refuses to be offended, and leaves room for people to grow. But grace pushed over the edge becomes silence, or even abdication. A friend on...

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