A Day of Pranks or a Day of Grace? Choose Grace! Choose Grace!

WHAT IS GRACE?

In addition to referring to refined elegance in movement and/or behavior, Grace also refers to the divine favor given to each of us without reason, whether we deserve it or not. Grace falls upon us, even when we've been our worst. We see it fall on the lowest of the low, again and again. Grace doesn't keep score of who does what and who’s better than whom.

And with all the love and gifts it bestows, Grace doesn't want anything in return. It is rain from the sky falling on our impossibly parched skin. Grace is us finding loads of presents under the tree instead of the dreaded and expected lump of coal, despite the fact that our parents knew we were the ones who egged the neighbors’ house. Grace is the unexpected ability to glide through the last brutal days of that horrible project when you hadn't thought you could last another minute. Grace is the sudden gladness you have about being you, despite all your flaws, real and imagined. Grace is the wind at your back as you pedal uphill. Grace buoys you, paves your path, surrounds you with light. One of my favorite inspirational writers, Caroline Myss, says “Grace is a power that comes in and transforms a moment into something better.”

Grace doesn't always show up wearing wrappings of ease and helpfulness, though. Grace can also be the red light that makes you late to an interview, but keeps you out of an accident. It can be a giant “NO” that will cause you pain and frustration and stop you in your tracks… but transform you in in wonderful ways that you’d never have imagined. Grace can be the way we move from pain to wisdom.

“Sometimes Grace comes in the form of a punch in the face.” ~ Mary Elder

Still, Grace - wrapped either in delight or disappointment - is always a gift. It’s up to us to accept it. Grace is freely given; there for the acknowledgement and acceptance, but if it is ignored, then what is the point of being given grace? Opening our hearts and minds and spirits to grace is a big part of living in grace. Letting God’s grace flow through us to others increases the power of grace in our lives. To treat others with kindness and love, whether they deserve it or not, and to do so without any expectations attached… that is practicing grace.

I like best what Tullian Tchividjian has to say about grace.

“Grace is love that seeks you out when you have nothing to give in return. Grace is love coming at you that has nothing to do with you. Grace is being loved when you are unlovable. Grace is a love that has nothing to do with you, the beloved. It has everything and only to do with the lover. It reflects a decision on the part of the giver, the one who loves, in relation to the receiver, the one who is loved, that negates any qualifications the receiver may personally hold… Grace is unconditional acceptance given to an undeserving person by an un-obligated giver.  Grace is one-way love.”

Grace is one-way love. It’s yours! It’s mine! It comes with no strings attached! To live in Grace, all we have to do is accept it and soak it in. No guilt, just lap it up with sincere joy and awe! To practice Grace, we only need to treat others lovingly, whether they deserve it or not. Yes, this is harder than it sounds. But let’s do it today, okay? Today, let’s live in grace and practice grace. Gifts of love for everyone!

ACTIONS FOR GRACE

It's simple! Smile. Trust that you are loved beyond your wildest dreams. Believe that you are valuable and cared for by God on both a cosmic and intimate level. And shine your light. Let love and kindness and understanding ooze out of you. Remember that everyone is someone's child and all children need love. 

QUOTES ON GRACE 

Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God ~ Karl Barth

 The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you.  ~ Frederick Beuchner

 There are things God does for me daily, and it throws me into brain lock, because I know in my heart I don’t deserve that kind of grace. I don’t deserve that break. ~ Willie Aames

 Grace sets back your setbacks. ~ Edmond Sanganyado

 If you depend on God’s grace there is no such thing as impossible. ~ Sri Chinmoy

 Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces. ~ Matthew Henry

 You are so weak. Give up to grace. The ocean takes care of each wave till it gets to shore.You need more help than you know.~Rumi

Our worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace. ~ Jerry Bridges

 Grace is God as heart surgeon, cracking open your chest, removing your heart – poisoned as it is with pride and pain – and replacing it with his own. ~ Max Lucado

 For me, every hour is grace. And I feel gratitude in my heart each time I can meet someone and look at his or her smile. ~ Elie Wiesel

 AFFIRMATIONS ON AND PRAYERS FOR GRACE

• I am grateful for God’s favor and grace which continually bless me.

• I allow and embrace grace.

• I treat others with kindness and “one-way-love”.

• I am a beloved child of God.

• I need to only take a step and grace will pave my path.

Dear God, thank You for Your grace and mercy. Please help me be a conduit for the grace You shower upon me, sharing Your light wherever I go. Amen.