23/09/2026
GRACE, JUSTICE, AND BEING KNOWN BY GOD
Today, my child asked me a question that I wasn't able to answer right away.
“Why are you still kind to people who hurt you and Mama?”
She was referring to people who have lied to us, taken advantage of us, stolen from us, or said things that damaged us.
I couldn't answer immediately because I was driving my motorcycle. But her question stayed with me.
I thought about what happened last year when a former employee took a customer's bag and some branded clothes. I only found out a week later, when the customer complained. The employee resigned that same week.
I felt terrible because even though I wasn't the one who stole from the customer, it happened under my business. I wanted to make things right, so since then, I have tried to give that customer special discounts whenever possible.
It made me think about grace.
I don't believe that being kind means pretending that wrong things didn't happen. It doesn't mean we shouldn't set boundaries, protect ourselves, or allow people to face the consequences of their actions.
But I also believe that I don't have to become bitter because of what others have done to me.
God has shown me grace countless times.
And if I have received grace from God despite my own failures, who am I to refuse grace to others?
The Bible says:
«“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
— Ephesians 4:32»
At the same time, forgiveness doesn't mean taking justice into our own hands.
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.”
— Romans 12:19
God is just. I don't have to repay every wrong myself. I can forgive, do what is right, protect what needs to be protected, and leave the ultimate judgment to God.
But today, this reflection also turned toward me.
I started thinking about my own mistakes.
There were many times I failed—even after becoming a Christian. Times when I knew what was right but still chose what was easier. Times when I allowed my desires to control me.
And one thought became very clear to me:
It is not enough to know God. I want to be known by God.
Jesus said:
«“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”
— John 10:14»
I don't want Christianity to be merely something I know about. I want my life to show that I actually belong to Christ.
So I'm taking this as a personal reminder to change—not just in words, but in the way I live.
1. I want to be faithful and honest in everything.
In money.
In the prices I charge.
In the services I provide.
In the way I treat customers.
With Magayon Laundry, I want to give people the best service I can—not simply because they are customers, but because I want to honor God through my work.
I also want to honor the friend who trusted me enough to give me this opportunity.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”
— Colossians 3:23
2. I want to take better care of the body God gave me.
This part is especially personal.
I have a young family. My children are still growing up, and I want to be there for them—not only financially, but physically and emotionally.
I've realized that I have not always treated my body responsibly.
I eat even when I'm not really hungry.
I snack too much.
I eat a lot of bread and processed food.
Sometimes I choose what tastes good now instead of thinking about what is good for me in the long run.
For several days now, I've also been dealing with pain in my foot, and I'm wondering whether it could be gout. I don't want to ignore my health anymore.
So I want to make better choices.
Less processed food.
Better eating habits.
More movement.
More exercise.
I'm even considering joining a gym—not because I want to look a certain way, but because I want to become healthier and stronger for my family.
I want my children to learn not only from what I tell them, but from what they see me do.
“Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit…”
— 1 Corinthians 6:19
3. I want to be more faithful with my time.
I spend so much time doing things that feel urgent, entertaining, or easy.
But I want to make more room for God's Word.
I want to read Scripture more consistently.
I want to pray more intentionally.
I want to use my time more wisely.
And I want to make sure that knowing about God doesn't replace actually walking with Him.
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
— Psalm 90:12
Maybe that's what my child's question was really doing to me today.
It made me look at how I respond to people who hurt me.
Then it made me look at myself.
And ultimately, it made me look toward God.
I cannot control what other people do.
I cannot undo every wrong that has happened.
I cannot change my past mistakes.
But I can choose what I do today.
I can choose grace without abandoning justice.
I can choose honesty when dishonesty would be easier.
I can choose discipline when my desires tell me otherwise.
I can choose to take care of the body and family God entrusted to me.
And most importantly, I can choose to know God—not merely as someone I believe in, but as my Lord whom I want to follow every day.
Lord, thank You for Your grace.
Thank You for forgiving me when I have failed.
Teach me to extend that same grace to others.
Give me wisdom to know when to forgive, courage to set boundaries, humility to admit my own mistakes, discipline to take care of what You have entrusted to me, and faith to trust You with justice.
Most of all, Lord, help me not only to know You, but to be known by You.
Amen.
