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| Adam adds another egg to his basket. |
This Easter weekend I enjoyed visiting with family, watching the boys hunt for eggs, and reconnecting with my spiritual roots.
I attended a Good Friday service at my church that reminded me of the gift of grace. So many times we may judge ourselves or others and forget to offer grace to ourselves and others. It was refreshing to reminisce on the reality that we all can have access to grace.
That one person would be willing to lay down his life to make grace known and available to everyone is chilling and sobering. To know at the core of your being that you are loved by the Designer of the Universe; and that he is willing to do whatever it takes to let you know that - can be overwhelming to take in.
Of course, not everyone knows this or lives with this reality in mind. Some know it intellectually but not with the heart. It is a tenant or belief that does not translate to a reorientation of one's life. But grace is there, it is available. Until this message of grace reaches the depths of our hearts, our core, there is no transformation or manifestation of the grace in our lives.
We all need grace. It is a universal need of humanity.
Whether your spiritual tradition or beliefs agrees with this is not the point. The point is that if we take hold of grace and unconditional love and live in its reality we will not be the same person and the world will not be the same either. Where there is grace there is no judgment, no enemy images, no good guys and bad guys. There is just love and understanding.
Sometimes it may help to think of a time where someone totally offered you acceptance and understanding despite your faults. A powerful memory or touchstone. Close your eyes and reflect on that memory and take it in. Take your time. Imagine you are there and experiencing that moment again until you feel the gratitude and joy of experiencing grace. Remember that God offers you full acceptance and grace all the time.
If you live experiencing grace you will stop comparing yourself to others, not need to boast to feel superior, be able to offer grace to others, not be dependent on others when you are lonely and "the drumbeats of doom in your head will be replaced by a song in your heart, which could lead to a twinkle in your eye." 1
I invite you to explore grace and claim it at your core. May you experience the joy of living in grace and the depths of love and acceptance that it brings.
1. Brennan Manning, The Furious Longing of God, pg. 21.
Other articles on grace you may be interested in:
Embracing Grace
Ice cream for the soul
A Father's Love
Freedom from Despair and Love Poem and Meditation
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