“Grace is a perspective, too. It’s like putting on special glasses that soften the world, allowing us to see it through gentler eyes.” really stood out to me - great reminder that we can allow ourselves to have and to give grace. For those who don’t wear glasses all I can say is I can’t see without them, but also that I often forget that I am wearing them.
Hi Jeff, what a beautiful meditation on grace, and one I will likely return to in the future. Loved especially this:
"More than anything, grace is an appreciation of life. It’s a deep exhale that says: I’m lucky to be alive and grateful for the way my life has come together — the good, bad, and ugly. Like snow, it hushes the world, softens sharp edges, and creates a serene glow."
I like the comparison of grace to snow. It also works for me as a symbol of a kind of ego death, you have to get past your own ego to give or receive grace sometimes.
I enjoyed this a lot, Jeff. Your perspective on things always makes me think. I appreciate your grace for the faith traditions that you and I both grew up in and that I still follow. This is such a small thing in this essay, but I do think the Church is better today about addressing the ugly than they used to be. Here's a link to the Church's website about the Mountain Meadows Massacre. I do think there is a desire to be more open about the history. Progress, right?
Hi Janell, Thanks for pointing this out and sharing the link. I should probably give the church more credit for integrating this history. I didn't see any discussion of the massacre or Utah Wars at the Pioneer Museum, but I didn't explore the church history museums, which may have more info.
“Grace is a perspective, too. It’s like putting on special glasses that soften the world, allowing us to see it through gentler eyes.” really stood out to me - great reminder that we can allow ourselves to have and to give grace. For those who don’t wear glasses all I can say is I can’t see without them, but also that I often forget that I am wearing them.
I think of you as someone whose grace glasses are always on. Thank you.
Hi Jeff, what a beautiful meditation on grace, and one I will likely return to in the future. Loved especially this:
"More than anything, grace is an appreciation of life. It’s a deep exhale that says: I’m lucky to be alive and grateful for the way my life has come together — the good, bad, and ugly. Like snow, it hushes the world, softens sharp edges, and creates a serene glow."
Thanks!
Beautiful, thank you.
This was my favorite so far. Either this one or the almost 50 one or the JFK one. Made it easy to really connect with you on a deeper level.
thanks andrew! appreciate your nudge to allow readers to connect. tryin'
safer but less timeless content
I like the comparison of grace to snow. It also works for me as a symbol of a kind of ego death, you have to get past your own ego to give or receive grace sometimes.
Really beautiful piece Jeff, thanks for sharing.
Thanks Bo, good point about ego death.
Gracefully beautiful
thanks Rife!
I enjoyed this a lot, Jeff. Your perspective on things always makes me think. I appreciate your grace for the faith traditions that you and I both grew up in and that I still follow. This is such a small thing in this essay, but I do think the Church is better today about addressing the ugly than they used to be. Here's a link to the Church's website about the Mountain Meadows Massacre. I do think there is a desire to be more open about the history. Progress, right?
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/mountain-meadows-massacre?lang=eng
Hi Janell, Thanks for pointing this out and sharing the link. I should probably give the church more credit for integrating this history. I didn't see any discussion of the massacre or Utah Wars at the Pioneer Museum, but I didn't explore the church history museums, which may have more info.
That is interesting. I haven't been to any of the museums in a really long time.
I am sorry for the loss of your brother. I should have said that immediately. Glad to reconnect with you.