"'Twas Grace that taught my heart to sing..."

                  from "Amazing Grace"

 When something unfortunate happens to someone that we know, we may toss off "there but for the grace of God go I."  This is more likely to be said if the person in question was doing something that we frequently do ourselves.  Let's say that he was involved in an auto accident because he exceeded the speed limit.  We've been guilty of that offense ourselves, and no doubt has some close calls.  Even though "there but for the grace of God" trips lightly off the tongue (with no deep thought) that is exactly what has happened.

The power and presence of Christ is always available to help us move gracefully through life.  All is perfect through the grace of God.  Divine grace pours blessings upon us and inspires us toward our highest good.  If we become discouraged, angry, or complacent, and are not reaching our potential, grace encourages us to begin again; freeing us from anger, pain and lethargy; leading us through a time of uncertainty.

Grace manifests as a continual flowing of good.

We must be constantly alert for little surprises that make us smile--the "little graces."  When we spontaneously help a stranger, even in a small way, it is the work of grace inspiring us, and we reap a blessing in return.  "According to the grace of God given me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it."

1 Corinthians  3:10.

If we are on a path to spirituality and enlightenment, and doing everything we can to stay on it, we have probably reached a point of no return.  We can't go back to our old ways.  Joel Goldsmith in "The Thunder of Silence" says:  "If the grace of God has touched us to the point where we cannot stop studying and meditating, then we are doing everything that can be done.  We cannot hasten the day.  We can delay it by ignoring this inner urge to meditate more and to read more, but we cannot hasten it.  It comes in its own good time and its own good way.  If we are touched with just enough Grace to compel us to stay (on this path), we will be led to an 'ultimate demonstration.'"  We must continue to study.

Sometimes we forget what we have read or heard, and sometimes we don’t understand, but we must persist.

Graces keeps us moving on.

That we are here at all is a mystery, but there must be a meaning to life.  Therefore, a total openness to grace is essential.  We only need to avail ourselves to God's Grace and let it guide us.

 "Each of us was given Grace according to the measure of Christ's gift."  Ephesians 4:7

Article by Judy Struna

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