I’ve fallen in love with both the concept of grace and the word itself. The first time I thought about the concept of grace outside of the context of a pre-meal prayer or a definitive act of graciousness or being graceful was a few years ago when a friend asked me to pray for a mutual friend going through a tough time. ‘She needs a lot of grace right now,’ he added.

I do not at all understand the mystery of grace – only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us. ~ Anne Lamott

I think I have a better sense of grace now that I’ve looked a bit harder for it and as a result, seen some definitive examples. I can think of four distinct situations — in love, faith, mental health and career — where I felt absolutely helpless. In each situation, after much dwelling and pain, I devoted much energy to thought, meditation and prayer seeking discernment, clarity and help in facing my struggles.

And each time — maybe not immediately — but eventually I was met with grace. Maybe it was a thought that turned into a spark, or an opportunity, or courage, or someone reaching out to me. In each case I found the gentle nudge I needed. And following each nudge, the courage came to follow through. In each case I was met where I was but not left where I was found.

The ongoing challenge is to trust grace: trust that when I ask for grace to meet others they will be found and trust that grace will continue to meet me where I am.