Accepting
Grace
“Grace
strikes us when we are in great pain...Sometimes at that moment a
wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice
were saying, 'You are accepted.'”
Paul
Tillich
My family line includes
lots of alcoholics. It stretches back as far as I know about and
exists in the generation of my children. It's always been said that
one has to “hit rock bottom” in order to climb out of addiction,
and that seems to be true in my family. If you hit that bottom, and
don't die there, then the only way out is up. The amazing thing is
that when you hit rock bottom, you find that you are not alone. There
is a presence there that calmly lets you know that whatever happens,
you are loved beyond all reason. With your addiction, with your
character flaws, and your unseemly behavior—your very soul is
loved.
I, myself, have
experienced this breakthrough of the light through the doorway of depression. At my
lowest point, that presence held me in this world. I will never
forget the unmistakable feeling of being embraced by invisible love
and acceptance. We humans do not enjoy pain—thankfully. We want
every day to be filled with sunshine and gentle breezes. But life is
not like that. I can't speak for everyone, but for myself, and for
all the people I know, life at times brings unbearable pain. We've
witnessed so much of it this year. People have lost loved ones,
homes, livelihoods, everything but their own lives. Crushing pain.
But almost to the person, they speak of renewal. That intrepid spirit
of love enters into our pain and loss at our darkest moment, and we
know we will survive, and not only survive, but thrive.
That Spirit is the
essence and true meaning of Grace. You may be a believer, or not a
believer; religious or secular—doesn't matter. Grace is free to
all; that love extends to the worst reprobate as well as to the
innocent little child. You are accepted. Can you accept that?
In the Spirit,
Jane
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