Where Faith and Art Intersect

from Fredericksburg Neighbors July 2022

Cycles of Grace

by Sheila Kale

What would it mean to have your whole life characterized by grace?

Most of us have things in life we want to accomplish. They are good things. Too often we look at what we achieve as a measurement of our worth.  We ask ourselves “How am I doing on my goals?”

We may believe, as a friend of mine is fond of saying, “If it’s going to be it is up to me.”

When I say that out loud, I feel strong, self-reliant, and in control.  But as I look down, I notice my hands clenched.  Then I realize my back is tight. Do I –or you—want to live in that kind of tension?

There must be a better way to realize our dreams without the stress.

I’ve been reading Trevor Hudson’s book, Cycle of Grace.

There are two major cycles we follow in our life: Works and grace

Cycle of Works

1. We do things; we are fruitful.
2. We depend on what we do to give us significance.
3. The significance of our accomplishments feed us and give our life meaning.
4. What we do determines our acceptance.

In this way of living, our identity is what we do. If we lose the ability to do, we no longer know who we are.

The cycle of grace reverses the order.

1. Accept who we are and how we show up in the world.
2. Nourish the things that make us who we are.
3. Understand our significance through the things in life that sustain us.
4. Out of the place of accepting who we are and feeding on the things that sustain us, we produce fruit.

How It works

I know that I am happiest when I observe beauty in people, or nature. I show up in the world as an observer.

The other night, I left a meeting without helping restore order to the space. Because of my damaged ankle, I can barely walk straight, let alone restack chairs.

As I hobbled out, I thought, “There was a time when I walked with grace. Now I am so graceless.” Continuing across the front of the building to the parking lot, I was grieving what I had lost. --I was feeling sorry for myself.

Two little flowers caught my attention.  They were shaped like delicate butterflies. With a closer look, I realized they were roses. But roses are supposed to be symmetrical.  A few petals were missing on these roses.

Tears blurred my vision.

The thing that gave them their beauty this evening were the missing petals.  

The grief of my predicament disappeared as I revered the beauty of these tiny misshapen roses.

Take time for what feeds your spirit.

Out of your peace and acceptance, you can then give to others and accomplish the most important work.