Hi Pogue,

This Monday morning I’d like to commence the week with a single word, Grace.

For many the mention of Grace will conjure up the images of movement of some kind. A dancer, a creature in motion, a moment of calm yet directed action that often seems to be without effort, more an out flowing of the essence of the person or creature performing it. But that’s not where my thoughts lie this morning. No, I have been musing on a quality that arises from a persons character. As such, yes, it is from the essence of the person but it’s not about movement.

Grace is a quality that is seen in the interaction of a person with another and as such we could say it is a relational thing. It is something we give or receive and I fear that the giving and receiving are becoming strangely absent from the society in which we dwell. You see, Grace has a sacrificial element and when I extend Grace I must often do so having first denied myself.

Grace is the face that love wears when it meets imperfection.

The judgement that arises in my heart. The right I consider I have to my opinion. The open hearted smile when I have to fight off a scowl.

Grace is about replacing so many of the lesser human qualities with kindness and love, and these two quality have to come from within us. We have to give them away, freely, so we have to pay the cost because we believe the best of people even when they are unable to do so for themselves. Oh, we are not fools scattering our flowers along the path to be trampled over. Rather we bestow Grace as a gift being given thoughtfully. We forgive but we do not have to forget.

Grace will show up as kindness and patience but it will be tempered with wisdom such that there may well be occasions where the correct behaviour will be to quietly walk away. Grace flourishes when given in the right season, in the right place and circumstances. Not all are ready to be the recipients of Grace. But remain kind, for to be so may well introduce something into another’s life they have not experienced in an age, if at all.

And be kind to yourself. If you are not experiencing kindness in your own life what do you have to give? Be gracious with your own failures and shortcomings, learn what kindness looks and feels like so, when combined with Grace, it can become a meaningful gift.

Grace never expects you to be who you are not

Jill E McCormick

Set yourself big goals but not impossible goals. Remember, one step at a time. Celebrate your small wins and allow them to become way stones on your path. They will bear witness to your achievements in the hard times. Times you may need to be gracious with yourself.

So this week we have the chance to be gracious and learn as we do so. To learn about ourselves. There isn’t much Grace seen in life and the world would benefit from a whole lot more. It’s said that kindness is it’s own reward. I’m thinking Grace is too.

Yours, always wanting to be a better person,

Wic