About 25 years ago, I took my two young nieces to a place called Build-A-Bear. You could choose a teddy bear and they had all the accessories you could pick out to dress your bear. I got myself a bear as well and I named it Grace (see picture above). I’ve had it all these years and it reminds of that day we went to Build-A-Bear. I love the name Grace because it so reminds me to be more in grace. I have all these sayings on and around my desk to remind me to be in grace. A few are “I am in Flowmotion”, a saying by Michael Bernard Beckwith which says I am remembering that I am in a flow, or grace. I also have a saying “Enjoy the journey” which is a form of grace, to slow down and enjoy your life in the moment. Grace is a foundational principle of spirituality.
What does grace mean to me? It means that there is a reason why things are happening and I may not know why or have the answer but if I remember that maybe I don’t have to know the answer, that it will work itself out on its own. It helps me calm down and let go and remember that I’m not in control all the time. Grace is found in all religions and it may mean something different in these realms than it does to me. In Christianity and other religions, it is said that it is God’s will and to have grace as it is not up to us. God has a plan for us. I’m not sure I believe this nor do I believe God has my life all figured out for me from birth to death. I want to believe that I have a little say in my actions, beliefs and happiness (or sadness). But I do believe that sometimes we want to force something and it just isn’t ready or it may never be ready. This is where you need to recognize the signs that it is time for course correction or a different perspective.
Anyway, I love the word “Grace”. It is such a great way of being if we only remember to have more grace or give more grace to someone who may be struggling. How about you? What does Grace mean to you?