Here's what makes this a grace-space
This is a grace-space: a place to belong, become, and breathe. But more than that, it’s about living in grace by allowing it to shape how we think, speak, and show up in our everyday lives (for ourselves as well as others). I find there are 5 points, or 5 marks, that show up consistently in a life anchored by grace. We'll unpack those here.
Grace means different things to different people. In fact, you might’ve seen the phrase “grace space” floating around online. In addition to its use in sermons, it appears in everything from parenting posts to self-care advice to spiritual coaching. Additionally, in a broad sense, I see it used to describe a low-pressure space where people are gentle and emotions are honored. I love that, but for me—and I hope, for you—living in grace is bigger than our comfort.
It’s about a transformation that starts inside and flows outward, changing us and shaping how we treat others and how we walk through the world. In this post, we’ll look at five marks of grace that can guide us in that process—practical ways to live anchored in God’s grace and let it overflow into every part of life.
So, in this quiet little corner of the internet, let’s talk about what kind of grace we’re talking about and what we mean when we say it. We’ll start by distinguishing between the grace offered by God and the grace we extend to one another.
The grace of God that forgives us and saves us is a top-down, one-way, undeserved gift from Him to us. We can accept it and be grateful for it, but we aren’t the ones making it happen. It’s the most significant type of grace there is—but it isn’t the one we’re unpacking today.
Contrast God’s grace toward us with the kind of grace we extend to one another in our everyday relationships (which I’ll refer to here as “relational grace,” meaning the influence of "grace" on the everyday ways we interact with, respond to, and care for people—not to be confused with the covenantal or doctrinal concept).
Ideally, it’s patient, honest, respectful, and safe. It’s love in action. That’s the kind of grace-space I’m hoping to create, and the kind of interpersonal grace I’m hoping to encourage—not just in the usual “be nice” sense (though that matters!), but in a much deeper way.
I'd like this to be a place where honesty and kindness can coexist. A place where people who are growing, grieving, or just plain figuring things out can breathe a little easier.
I'd also like it to be more than a cozy place to relax. More of a biblically-rooted, character-shaping, honestly-growing kind of space where you're invited to stretch. To develop your spiritual muscles and grow stronger in godly character traits and the emotional well-being that comes along with that.
You know, biblical grace, as it's shared between humans, isn't passive. There's an ebb and flow to it; a give-and-take. It isn’t just soft, sweet sentiment, but it is soft, even when it’s challenging you.
It makes space for healing and growth, while also making room for stillness, for struggle… even for strong emotions. Because real grace can hold you gently, even as it holds your feet to the fire.
Which means, if this space is going to be grace-filled in a way that honors God's heart for our hurts, it needs more than our permission to be messy. It needs a framework for maturing in all that messiness.
Anchored in grace: strength for the journey
If we’re going to "mature," or grow in godly character and emotional well-being, we need something solid to hold us steady—especially in messy or uncertain seasons. That’s what this grace-space is all about.
Grace isn’t just a concept to believe in. It’s something to live in. And when we let it shape our inner life, it becomes an anchor point for how we respond, relate, and reflect Jesus in our everydays.
This "living in grace" principle influences both our inner person and our influential one—the version of ourselves that the world sees.
That’s why we’re approaching this from two sides. The first side speaks to being "anchored," focusing on the internal work of building godly character and emotional strength. The second points to "action," and explores how the overflow of that inner grace can make a difference in the way we serve, lead, and love others.
Let’s start with the inward work—our character, our thought life, and how we show up when no one’s watching. That’s the first step toward living in a grace-space that overflows into how we treat others and impact the world around us.
Here’s what being anchored in grace looks like:
G – Grounded in truth.
God’s Word is the foundation. Not feelings, not fads, and not fluff. We speak kindly, but we also speak truth—even when it’s uncomfortable.
R – Reflective, not reactive.
We pause. We consider. We resist the urge to clap back or rush to judgment. We take thoughts captive, not people.
A – Accountable to Scripture and each other.
We’re not lone wolves here. We help each other grow, even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard.
C – Compassionate in tone and timing.
We don’t weaponize truth. We offer it in ways that consider the person and the moment. Godly character listens before it speaks.
E – Encouraging forward motion.
Real grace doesn’t leave people stuck. It invites, challenges, and champions transformation—one thoughtful step at a time.
Grace in Action: Making a Difference
As we grow in character and spiritual maturity, our inner grace becomes visible in how we treat others, how we lead, and how we respond to the challenges of life. That’s the second side of the GRACE framework—the side that moves outward. It shows up in real-world interactions with clarity, courage, and compassion.
It’s not always flashy. It doesn’t always feel “nice.” But when lived out biblically, it makes a difference. In conversations. In communities. In the culture around us.
Here’s what grace in action looks like:
G – Grounded in truth
We don’t bend truth to fit comfort zones. We anchor our actions in Scripture, not in trends or feelings.
R – Reflective, not reactive
We pause before we post. We listen before we lead. We let the Holy Spirit shape our responses.
A – Accountable to Scripture and each other
We don’t lead in isolation. We seek wise counsel and hold ourselves to biblical standards, even when it's uncomfortable.
C – Compassionate in tone and timing
Truth isn’t a weapon. We speak it with gentleness, knowing truth is heard best when it's gracefully presented.
E – Encouraging forward motion
We call others to reach higher, inviting growth and healing, and supporting them in brave steps forward.
Come as you are. grow as you're able.
No pressure. Come as you are—this is a grace-space.
If you're early in your healing, you’re welcome here.
If you’ve walked a long road but trauma still catches you off guard sometimes—you’re welcome here, too.
And if you’ve grown stronger and now walk beside others—you’re needed here. With your insight. With your kindness. With your calm strength.
This is a community for belonging. A time for becoming. A space for breathing, for building resilience . . . for making room for all of it.
It won’t always be easy. But it will always be grace-full.
Thanks for being here.
Grace Notes
Grace shows up in the smallest moments—through kindness, patience, or even a quiet strength that holds space for someone else.
I’d love to hear: Where have you seen grace at work lately?
You’re always welcome to reply to one of my emails or reach out on social. This space is for you. Send me a note!
Hope, for me, came in the form of meeting you and a few other women who understood what I had been through with regard to sexual abuse by my brother and growing up in a wildly dysfunctional family that protected him and blamed (and shamed) me.
You are the person who helped me internalize the truth that the abuse was not my fault. You are also the person who helped me to begin trusting again, which was huge. Francey, YOU are the font of hope, grace, and kindness that I have found on my journey, and because of you, I now have a tribe of sisters and I don’t have to journey alone.