What does the word ‘grace’ mean to you?

What does it make you think of in your life?

Perhaps it makes you think of the Queen, or an elegant Hollywood-era film star or a classical ballerina or people with power, influence or strength who project humility and gentleness unlike the dictators and autocrats of our age.

To the Christian it speaks of the nature of God.

It is ‘by the grace of God’ that we live our lives.

In some cultures, we ‘say grace’ to acknowledge that our meals are a gift freely given by God.

The Lord’s Prayer expresses the Christian hope or confident prayer that God will sustain us and protect us from harm.

We know that he can, because His is the ‘kingdom, the power and the glory’ but we know that he will because he is gracious.

For that we are thankful.

In imitation of God, we are also called to be gracious in our dealings with others.

It’s about, as the superhero origin narratives go, ‘using our power for good’.

We all have the power to bring one another down, in some way privately or publicly.

We can choose to point out each other’s faults.

We can say ‘I told you so’ or ‘serves you right’.

We have the power to embarrass, judge or humiliate those around us.

But the way to love one another as he has loved us, is to take a breath, swallow our self-righteousness, defensiveness or pride, and be gracious.

May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you and those whom you love today and every day.

Lois Sparling

St George’s Church

Kendal