While shopping in a favorite boutique recently, I stumbled across a book titled, Grace: Quotes and Passages for Heart, Mind, and Soul.* The book speaks of grace in several of its many meanings. There are, of course, quotations about the grace of God. There are also passages about grace as mercy, favor, kindness, and good will.
The book contains quotes from Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Buddy Hackett, and Dolly Parton, just to name a few. There are notable theologians and church figures, but the most notable omission to me is Martin Luther. Luther had so much to say about grace, but none of his words are included.
That withstanding, the editor had a noble purpose in mind: to provide inspiration in a world sorely lacking in grace. She writes “that there seems to be little time for grace—that is, to reflect on or receive God’s grace, to give grace or to receive the grace of others, or to live and act with grace in everyday life.”
When grace is in our lives, she goes on to say, we become more understanding, more loving, more dignified.
In what ways are you living and acting with grace in your everyday life?
This message was adapted from “Easter Grace” written by Linda Post Bushkofsky that first appeared in the April 2008 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine.*Grace: Quotes and Passages for Heart, Mind, and Soul, edited by B.C. Aronson, is available through a number of bookstores.