photo credit: Jonathan Visscher1. "b: a pleasing appearance or effect: charm. c: ease and suppleness of movement or bearing" (from: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grace) or I like this one - "grace n. Seemingly effortless beauty or charm of movement, form, or proportion. A characteristic or quality pleasing for its charm or refinement." (from: http://www.answers.com/topic/grace)
2. yet it is also defined as, (Theol.) "the divine favor toward man; the mercy of God..divine love or pardon; a state of acceptance with God" (http://www.webster-dictionary.net/definition/grace).
Ah, grace. Yes, the word offers such a beautiful picture. I feel that it so adequately describes my thoughts right now. In reflecting on our last week, I will share a couple thoughts:
grace, of the first definition, is so evident in the natural world around us. (I plead my exception to this rule! as I am far from the queen of grace) :) Perhaps underwater this is especially obvious, and I have clumsily appreciated our explorations of this world, although I am still trying to control my too frequent thrashings-about and my hyperventilating bubbles...but aside from that, it is a world of seemingly effortless movement and oddly skittish, wide eyed creatures, but also some of the most graceful creatures alive. It is really awesome...we depend on our talented friend (Jonathan) for much of the documentation at this time, and the picture above is one of the many turtles we have seen here. They are pictures of grace, and when aroused from their slumber at the ocean floor, they swim by silently and quickly, in such smooth motion. It has been so fun and absolutely thrilling to watch them.
grace, of the second definition, has also surrounded me. I am so thankful that we have a God of grace...a God that accepts us in spite of our shortcomings (which are many!) and loves us so much. I have been taking some much needed time to study about this God, this grace, and it has reminded of this acceptance. I need that grace because if my existence, my purpose, depended on my goodness, my achievements, then oh what a struggle it would be to hang on to meaning, hope, or love in this life...
And the word captures it all - grace, an effortless acceptance, a transforming beauty....
