This has been one of those weeks where I have had to practice grace on myself as I took time to keep myself from getting sick and cutting a cold off before it had time to develop. I gave myself permission to take time away from work to spend time with friends and do something fun with Zoe on her day off, now that she actually has them. I forgave myself for not getting my blogs written on grace and practiced grace as I could with my students and others in my life.
My friend DeeDee talks about how so often people will say “You didn’t have to do that” when you do something for them. Then she or her friend would say “But aren’t you glad that I did.” The grace is sometimes in just sitting in the blessing of what you were given. Today, I experienced grace in a way that I do not have words to describe. As many of you know about 6 years ago, I reinjured my back and lost all the feeling in my right leg. I use a walker for short distances and a wheelchair for longer distances or when zooming around the house to do the everyday kind of stuff that needs to get done. Going places has been a challenge because we do not have a wheelchair accessible van and I have been told to avoid stairs as it is not safe for me to go up and down them. Four years ago, the minimized my paratransit services so going places became an even greater challenge. However, God’s grace has seen me through and provided ways out of my doing everything I needed and when I could not go into the world, God brought the world to me.
This morning my Pampered Chef director, Wendy, let us know that we were going to have our team meeting in her home. Her husband built a removable ramp so I and others could move safely in and out of their home. He said it was for the good of the team. I rarely take things personally, but this act on their behalf I took personally. So this Saturday, for the first time in six years I will safely move in and out of my friend’s home and know that I am loved. I won’t say you didn’t have to do this, although I am so glad they did. I am just going to sit with this amazing feeling of grace that is washing over me.
Grace is amazing and I am always amazed when I get to sit in it, experience it, and once again be reminded that I am worthy of the fullness of God’s blessings and as Wendy’s husband Greg said to me, I matter.