Hello and Happy May! It just amazes me that we are already 18 weeks into the year.

Our word for this week is Grace.

According to Lexico, which is powered by Oxford (dictionary), the word Grace is defined as:

• 1 Smoothness and elegance of movement.
• 2 Courteous good will.
• 2.1 An attractively polite manner of behaving.
• 3 (in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favour of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.
• 3.1 A divinely given talent or blessing.
• 4 A period officially allowed for payment of a sum due or for compliance with a law or condition, especially an extended period granted as a special favour.
• 5 A short prayer of thanks said before or after a meal.
• 6 His, Her, or Your Grace Used as forms of description or address for a duke, duchess, or archbishop.
• 7 the Graces or the Three Graces(in Greek mythology) three beautiful goddesses (Aglaia, Thalia, and Euphrosyne) believed to personify and bestow charm, grace, and beauty.

I am reading this book called A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers. As I thought of the word Grace I realized that while I had an understanding of the definition(s) of Grace I couldn’t really put it into words.

After reading the above definitions I noticed the difference between the second and third definitions and wondered – what if we (humans) gave grace like God does? His grace is free and unmerited? I understand that we are all flawed in our human form. We are not God, but what difference would it make in the world if we responded with “courteous goodwill or grace” even when is not deserved. I am reminded of this quote “People need loving the most when they deserve it the least”.

I must make an effort to do better.