Grace

By Pastor Paul Gauche

 

Today’s Word: ‘GRACE’ as in… all that we have is an expression of God’s grace.

We’ve been exploring the idea that we thrive as grateful people who practice gratitude as a spirited discipline, remembering with joy and thanksgiving that all we have is an expression of God’s grace.

Let’s revisit that last line: “remembering … that all we have is an expression of God’s grace.”

It is a well-established truth that gratitude isn’t just a pleasant feeling. Being grateful and finding ways to express gratitude can also support greater health, happiness, and wisdom in ourselves and our communities. In an article entitled “The Science of Gratitude,” author Misty Pratt reflects,

“Gratitude offers us a way of embracing all that makes our lives what they are. More than just a happy feeling for the parts of our lives currently going our way, gratitude encompasses the willingness to expand our attention so that we perceive more of the goodness we are always receiving.”

This “willingness to expand our attention” gives us fresh eyes to see the Source of grace. Framing all we have as an expression of God’s grace allows us to consider our view of the Divine. Rather than viewing God as some Force that is “out to get us” or, more troubling, “is completely uninterested in us on any level,” we’re invited to consider our God-view from a spirited, creative, connected, and ever-present perspective: God is endlessly grateful for us! Moved by love and compassion for us, God provides life, health, and every breath we breathe! It’s all a gift! It’s all grace!

Thriving Reflections:

++ How would you define “a day spent very well?”

++ What percentage of your days do you spend well?

++ How could practicing gratitude improve your score?

++ As specifically as possible, describe your gratitude for one or more of the following: your eyes and the things you see, the face of a person you met, an incredible gift that civilization gives you.

++ How does the understanding that all you have is an expression of God’s grace create a sense of thriving?

#100days50words

#Thriv’ëra

Paul Gauche is the Pastor of Life Transitions at Prince of Peace. His posts are part of his #100days50words project, where he blogs about a different word each week. You can follow his project on Instagram (@pgauche) or his blog, Thriving Rhythms.