A Life Of Grace

A couple of Sundays ago,  I was sitting in church, feeling sorry for myself and feeling overwhelmed.  Pastor Susan asked me how I was, and I wanted to say, crappy, horrible, tired, worn out and so many other things.  Instead I gave the traditional, "I'm ok, you?"  My answer probably spoke volumes.  It certainly wasn't very upbeat or positive.  It was indicative of what I was feeling.  But is it right to unload our burdens on people that ask, "How are you?"

I had seen a friend a couple of weeks ago and thought maybe I could unload my burdens on her.  Luckily for her, she didn't give me time to talk about it.  She was unloading her own burdens :)

Here are some questions that I pondered on Sunday.

Why is it so hard to care for ourselves?

Why are people so negative?

Why can't we look for the good in things?

Why don't we trust that God has a plan?

If we focus on our burdens daily, those burdens will bring you down.  I have lived it.  I am living it.

A life filled with grace.  Do you ever see those people?  Can you recognize them?  They are pleasant, positive, upbeat and a joy to be around.  Even in the face of adversity they exude a sense of peace.  Does it mean their life is perfect.  No - probably not.  

I want to live a life filled with Grace.

As I watched my parents age and go through end of life, I learned a lot of things.

1. Time with you parents is precious
2. They need you
3. It is our time to give back to them
4. Learn from their their experiences and attitudes.

One of the things I promised myself is that I wanted to learn to live and age gracefully.  As we get older things start falling apart.  Aches, pains, sometimes illness occur.  How do we handle trials, tribulations, aging, etc. with grace?

What does Grace mean to you.  When I was a kid in my youth group, I learned, "God's Redeeming Actions Contrary to our Earning"  That has stuck with me my whole life.

How we behave, our attitude it is a choice.  I think learning to age gracefully requires us to learn to live gracefully.   Here are some things I think will help me achieve that goal.

1. Pray Daily
2. Spend Time In Scripture
3. Surround Yourself With People That Lift You Up
4. Lift Up Others
5. Love
6. Laugh
7. Look For The Good In People & Things
8. See Beauty
9. Be Thankful Daily
10. Exercise (Yes David, I said exercise)
11. Eat Well
12. Sing
13. Dance

Decide each morning and each evening what your attitude will be.  Breathe (more on that later) with purpose.  Pray, meditate and make it happen.  Will I succeed every day?  Probably not, but it is a journey to become whole right?  A journey is many steps.  Want to go on that journey with me?

Today, I choose Grace.