Editor’s Note: This post was to appear December 23rd, but was delayed due to technical issues and life circumstances.
We’ve been riding a bit of a roller coaster as far as weather in our area with both cold and warm temperatures, rain and snow mixes, and even some clearer, sunny moments. These fluctuations are not always easy to navigate, especially when trying to prepare for holiday events or even just get through each day under extenuating circumstances like being in the midst of a pandemic or economic or political unrest. What we discovered this week was the true definition of grace, being able to navigate through things with the help of faith and not so much worrying about what it looks like in the short term, but rather the long term outcome.
“If we only believe and ask, a full measure of God’s grace is available to any of us.” –Charles Swindoll
Theme of the Week: Grace’s Seas
Our theme of the week is one that kind of build up over time. We kept reading about grace in our devotional and mass readings for each day, and one day every single article or passage was about grace.
Well, then that settles what our blog post topic will be, doesn’t it?
One of the readings was especially poignant with the author writing about an experience with clogged pipes in his house. The man tried chemical clog removers to no avail. Finally, he broke down and pulled out his tools to take the pipes apart. The physical experience was not exactly pleasant (which is the case with most plumbing issues as we can attest to from our share of such chores). However, it was through the physical experience that the man realized the connection between his feelings and the situation. Internally, he had been harboring resentment, anger, fear, and bitterness over a period of time. He found no relief from his feelings when using the human quick fix reactions of yelling or not forgiving. However, once he took a deeper look and reflected upon his feelings, realized he was in his own way of getting relief.
We all have similar experiences in life when things get out of hand and our desire to be in control of life aspects backfires. The many offerings of society’s quick fix schemes only help the façade, but leave the remaining support structure crumbling. If we are fortunate to realize the depth of the issue AND willing to do the work required, we can not only make the façade better, but also build a better foundation so that the next time issues start to clog up our minds, hearts, and time, we have the wisdom and energy to not only do what is required, but also be grateful for the experience.
This is grace. Recognizing, acknowledging, letting go, and working through the issue first hand, in real life with or without the support of those we love. Yes, sometimes we have to move on and recognize the unhealthy relationships so as to build healthy relationships. This is not an easy task, but it is doable if we keep the most important relationship in our lives in focus—our faith relationship with God.
“The amount of power you experience to live a victorious, triumphant Christian life is directly proportional to the freedom you give the Spirit to be Lord of your life.” –Anne Graham Lotz
Lesson of the Week: Poise One Does Not Need
Our lesson of the week is a tag-along to our theme of the week. As we navigated through some tricky life situations, we felt like we were fumbling along. Despite all the flexibility and strength training exercises we do daily in our household, we still end up on the clunky side most days. This is frustrating, but this week, we learned we don’t need poise to experience grace. Actually, it is when we are the most discombobulated in life that grace shines best. Perhaps this is because in comparison to our life gymnastics, grace’s simple presence appears perfect. It is not trying to outdo anyone or anything, not trying to win a contest or prove a point; grace is simply there, and in all honesty, that is enough.
We had another lesson in the grace of learning this week. While the full moon appeared on December 18th, the moon actually looked fuller on the 21st. Wondering why this was set us to some research and the discovery of what is known as the moon illusion. The moon illusion is one of the oldest psychological phenomena, dating to ancient China and Egypt. While this scientific puzzle remains fully explained, there are some theories behind it.
One of the more scientific explanations is based on the moon’s position in relation to the horizon. When the moon is near the horizon, the ground and horizon make the moon appear close. Since the moon changes its apparent position in depth while the light it emanates remains constant, the human brain’s size-distance mechanism alters the perceived size, making the moon appear larger.
So, once again, we have learned more by simply asking a question and doing a little leg work to find some reasons why. It is the why’s of life that lead us to the grace of life. Asking sometimes takes courage, and not knowing can make circumstances seem more dire, but the beauty of learning is part of the wonder of grace.
“Courage is grace under pressure.” –Ernest Hemmingway
Question of the Week: What Comes to Be
Our question of the week is based on our lesson of the week. Is what comes to be grace in disguise?
Though we have no proof or scientific experiment to reference, our experience has been that yes, what comes to be, be it deemed in the short term as good, bad, indifferent, or somewhere in between, is indeed grace in disguise. You see, grace is not an instant panacea. It is a patient, understanding, tolerant essence that takes time to fully encompass the circumstances and slowly move all the messiness of the parts into a more recognizable art form.
“Grace comes into the soul, as the morning sun into the world; first a dawning; then a light; and at last the sun in his full and excellent brightness.” –Thomas Adams
Sight of the Week: Grace in the Dawn’s Deep
Our sight of the week was a most welcome one. While running early one morning, I watched the sun rise between the scattering clouds. The colors and movement of all the parts was most magical and calming. It was poetic and fluid, like the Holy Spirit drawing water from heaven’s light to pour down upon the weary soul watching all that was transpiring.
A number of my runs lately have been long, eight or ten miles, and I have found that the added miles allow for some extra time not only to destress, but also listen to nature and God. This listening has been most helpful in calming the inner eight year old, who has been both anxious and excited for Christmas to arrive. It has also helped the adult in me better understand Advent, the season that occupies the four weeks prior to Christmas in the church calendar.
Prior to this year, Advent remained a real mystery and misunderstood concept to me. I did not have any luck historically sticking to an Advent structure, always getting sidetracked by holiday happenings, illness, or some other crazy life issue that seemed to need all my attention and energy. This year was different, perhaps because of all the running and truly taking a few moments each day to just listen. Again, there is no conclusive evidence to my experience, save for the experience and following inner feelings of finally getting somewhere spiritually after spinning in circles for so many years.
In addition to my running experiences, the dogs and I had several occasions in the wee hours of the morning to stand outside, breathe in the cold air, and watch the stars fade in the rising sun. This time of day has always been a favorite for me, and Leo and Lena appear to be catching on to the magic and wisdom nature offers at these times. By watching and listening, we find an inner energy that allows us to get through the circumstances of each day.
“An appreciative listener is always stimulating.” –Agatha Christie
Words of the Week: Let Grace Speak
Our words of the week from the Daily Word were: joy, letting go, light, happy, and grace. Joy is one of those things that can feel elusive in today’s world, but if we let go a little, allow the light to shine in our hearts, and not get hung up on what appears to be the definition of happy in society today, we can not only find but really experience grace. Grace is really God’s gift to us all year, not just during Advent or Christmas.
May we learn to find our way by letting go in life. May the experiences we have lead us to the gift that keeps on giving, grace itself.
Grace
Grace be yours, grace be mine
Grace before and after the night,
In the sun and in the rain,
In what is to come and what remains,
In the dawn and in the dusk
Across the pond and through the trust
Of faith in God above
Through His ways and His love.
Grace be yours, grace be ours,
Grace in the storm and the rainbow’s showers,
In the earth and in the water
In the dirt and in the fields’ coffer
Over the hills and the valleys
Where spills the galleys
Of love unrestrained
From heaven above throughout our days.
Grace be yours, grace be mine,
Grace before and after the light,
In the skies and in the clouds
In hands of time round about
Beyond what is seen and understood
In what comes to be deemed as good
Through the hope that carries on
As time goes, so comes another dawn.
-Lisa A. Wisniewski
A Note of Thanks
Our thanks this week goes out to our late canine friend Luke, whose birthday was December 21st. Luke taught me a lot about grace in his own artistic way. It was not the most graceful relationship between Luke and me (or anyone else in our lives who came to know Luke through his raucous behavior), however, time led us to a mutual understanding.
In addition to Luke, we thank our buddy Leo, whose birthday is December 12th. Yes, just flip the numbers and you have either one of their birthdays. Leo is what I call a vanilla version of Luke, much less of a rebel and more a gentleman (but with a curiosity that would give Luke a good run for his money).
Thanks guys, for helping us come to know grace in life!
-Lisa, Leo, and Lena
Natural Deltas 