Grace is not something you think about every day but I am certain that you have felt it.
Grace does many things and comes in many shapes and sizes. It can be as large as forgiving someone for wrong doing to as small as letting someone ahead of you in traffic. We can use grace daily in our own lives, with the people we interact with every day, that includes our own selves. (Phew - cuz I need it!)
I have been practicing grace a lot in my life lately. I am forgiving myself, giving to others, blessing myself, thanking God for every little thing, noticing the magic in the world around me and loving everyone. We all have this in us, we just need to find it again. I feel like we need grace more than ever as many of us have forgotten about grace and the importance it plays in our daily lives.
In order to use grace we must first know what it is. In the dictionary grace is defined as a both noun and a verb. I find this fascinating as grace is a thing and an action, how cool is that!
The noun tells us that grace is:
a. Unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification (Courteous goodwill. Meaning, it's not asked for nor deserved, but is freely given.)
b. A virtue coming from God
d. A charming or attractive trait or characteristic
e. A title of address or reference for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop
f. A short prayer at a meal asking a blessing or giving thanks
g. A musical trill, turn, or appoggiatura
h. Sense of propriety or right had the grace not to run for elective office— Calvin Trillin
i. The quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful accepted his advice with grace
The verb tells us grace is: a. To confer dignity or honor on The king graced him with the rank of a knight. b. ADORN, EMBELLISH graveled walks graced with statues— J. A. Michener
(All definitions are from the Merriam-Webster dictionary)
Did you notice the words used in the definitions? Divine Assistance, Virtue from God, Favor, Attractive Trait, Giving Thanks, Prayer, Blessing, Music, Sense of Right, Considerate, Thoughtful, Honor, Adorn. These are all things we can do to give grace. The definitions tell us what to do. Grace is beautiful. It opens a window to joy, gratitude, blessings and love.
One of the coolest things about grace is that it is unmerited. It does not matter if the person you are aiding is not deemed worthy by society. The truth is we are all worthy. We are all made up of the same biological, chemical and spiritual structures. So give of yourself freely and often to whomever you meet. Your gift is grace, use it.
I challenge you to the Daily Graces - implementing and using grace daily. Write down one grace you have given and one grace you have received daily. It may seem hard at first but they are there. Remember, it can be large or small. Post what stories you would like to share in the facebook comments section. I want to start sharing our common graces so it helps others see just how beautiful and full of grace life is.
I have a ritual to light an incense every morning and say a little prayer in my own words for the start of day. Most days I say the same exact prayer but lately I have been adding in "Please let me be an instrument of God's grace in this world." I hope that we all become instruments of God's grace.
Ask not what can grace do for you but what can you do to create more grace in this world?
Please be kind.
Hope and light lives within us all.
xoxo
Joyce
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“I don’t understand it any more than you do, but one thing I’ve learned is that you don’t have to understand things for them to be.” ― Madeleine L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time
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For inquiries please email, illuminatedsoul6@gmail.com
I have been providing readings for over five years and have studied/mentored with Rita Berkowitz, Mavis Pittilla, and Jo Petrie.
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