“For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.” – Saint Augustine of Hippo
A grace full life. A life full of grace. What does that look like? Grace is one of those concepts that you know when you see and experience it, but is challenging to put in to words. It’s been defined as:
noun
- simple elegance or refinement of movement. “she moved through the water with effortless grace”
- courteous goodwill. “at least he has the grace to admit his debt to her”
verb
- do honor or credit to (someone or something) by one’s presence. “she bowed out from the sport she has graced for two decades”
These are accurate but fall short of the depth of meaning. To go a bit deeper:
“Common Christian teaching is that grace is unmerited mercy (favor) that God gave to humanity by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross, thus securing man’s eternal salvation from sin.”
Better, but still…
I have a dear friend who writes on this where the rubber meets the road. Where this often messy, even mean world conspires to disprove the concept of grace.
As a Christian who daily experiences the grace of God and endeavors to live it out authentically in the face of resistance from within and without, I have found a secret. Gratitude.
I can hear the groans, including my own. Really? It’s that simple? Yes. Simple to do or, not. We get to choose. It may be as basic as “I am grateful I am still breathing”.
Expressing gratitude will clear the way for grace freely given to fill up the voids, dispel fear, and turn the light on the darkness.
I recommend my friend’s BLOG: A Grateful Grace-full Life as a starting point. Then for 30 days, or at least until Thanksgiving Day, write (yes, write) one thing down you are grateful for. You can start here:
What one thing are you grateful for today? Please Share in the comments.
You are one of the people I am grateful for, a friend of like precious faith. Someone that I can trust to pray and encourage me in those messy life moments. Thank you.
In the nick of time, you, Nancy, connected me with the Reserves to reestablish/maintain my Air Force flying certification since my departure a few years prior from active duty. It undergirded my quest to become an artist, then led to a full-time Civil Service career and retirement from C-130s.
For God’s grace and your help, I’ll always be grateful!