The Grace of Grace

It recently occurred to me what a profound impact one little ritual has in my family. With no deliberate design or intention, grace has been part of gathering for a meal in our home since our children were young. It began as part of pulling the day together; sharing, listening and reflecting. Our children are now adults, treading their own paths and beginning families. This is perhaps what has shown me so clearly the power of grace. Regardless of how many of our family are together, or where any of us are on our faith journey, when we are together for a meal we share grace, so naturally that our grandchildren just took it up too – with gusto! I started to think…does praying grace at meal time in fact welcome God’s grace?

When we sit down to to eat, our whole day tends to sit down with us; its joy, celebration, gratitude, sadness, hope…it’s an authentically ’where you are at’ human moment. From meals eaten alone to noisy, full dinner tables, there is a moment of possibility. In praying grace, God gets an invitation to the humanness and that moment then holds profound potential. Praying grace is simultaneously individual and collective. Grace can create the space for connection between God and those at the table for thanks, for petition, for life…for God’s grace.

If we think of God’s grace simply as God’s unconditional love and invitation into relationship, then praying grace is a conduit for God’s grace. Our response to that gift is up to us. Imagine, all the places, times and ways grace is prayed, there is a moment of God’s grace. The amazing potential of one little ritual.

There is a beautiful analogy of each life as a rich tapestry; unique to their story. Perhaps then each time grace is prayed it’s a stitch woven into that tapestry. Woven in with each stitch then is the touch of God’s grace. For me, that’s the grace of grace.

For today and everyday,
we thank you God.
Amen