Grace

“I do not at all understand the mystery of grace- only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where if found us" Anne Lamott.

We say Grace to give thanks and blessings, and we ask for Grace that our lives will be protected and watched over. For many we look to God for Grace every day and are thankful Grace is given. In my home, we say Grace before each meal; this is a practice, which has been in our family since my earliest remembrances. As I sat and sipped my coffee I thought about Grace and how it affects my life especially today, and I am very thankful for where it has brought me, for Grace should not be overlooked. I found in a search via the internet that Grace has a tradition and deep spiritual meaning in various cultures.

Divine grace is a theological term, which is present in many and varied spiritual traditions. However, there are significant differences between the way people of different traditions use the word. In particular, a more treatment of the Grace of God indicates that Divine Grace is one of the three categories of Grace. The other two are Material Grace and Spiritual Grace. In Christianity, the New Testament states "Grace is the empowering Presence of God enabling you to be who He created you to be, and to do what He has called you to do", and "Grace, the state of kindness and favor towards someone, often with a focus on a benefit given to the object."

In India, Hinduism is replete with references to grace (kripa) as the ultimate key required for spiritual self-realization, and considered it to be the only way to transcend the bondage of lifetimes of karma. One Hindu philosopher,Madhvacharya, held that grace was not a gift from God, but rather must be earned.

In Islam, Jordan wrote that "Paradise is something of immense value; a person cannot earn it by virtue of his deeds alone, but by the Grace and Mercy of Allah." This stance is supported by hadith: according to Abu Huraira, Muhammad once said that "None amongst you can get into Paradise by virtue of his deeds alone ... not even I, but that Allah should wrap me in his grace and mercy.

In Greek Mythology it is the three sister goddesses in who are the givers of charm and beauty. These 3 are the daughters of Zeus and Eurynome; Aglaia, the Grace symbolizing Beauty, Euphrosyne, the Grace of Delight and lastly Thalia, the Grace of Blossom. The Greek poet Pindar, stated these enchanting goddesses were created to fill the world with pleasant moments and goodwill.

During the recent presidential debates, a question posed to both candidates was what is your favorite word? President Obama’s response was "Grace. I love the word grace because I think it captures what we strive for in life. It's not just an individual thing. It's not just a matter of excellence of something you've achieved. It's something internal to you, but it's also something that's given to you. It's not just individual, but it has to do with your relationships with others. You know, those moments of grace that we have - grace notes that we have in our lives.”

How ever you define Grace, my hope is that one never falls from Grace, and that we instill Grace in our lives every day.