A Pace of Grace
Have you ever been running late for airplane? You know the sense of stress and fear that you might “miss” your very important flight. If you do, then what?
Think of how you see other people or how you treat other people during that chaotic sprint to hurry as fast as you can. Do you stop to help an older person as they struggle with a door? Do you look the person in the eyes as they take your boarding pass? Is there any way that you will take the time to help another in need?
No, you simply do not have time to extend friendship, kindness or grace to others who might need your help. Life is often stressful and we can easily feel like we are running out of time to get all that we need to get done by the time it needs to be done. Big things, little things — doesn’t matter. They all occupy mental space. They all threaten to take you a notch away from who you really want to be.
Back in January, I resolved that this year I am going to try to be intentional about establishing a “Pace of Grace” in our family. I started with myself. My goal is to stop and show my family how I am available to them. I show them how I am available to help others, to listen to others and be present with the grace that I think everyone’s life could use. Well, maybe not everyone, but many. Myself obviously included.
With a little focus and mindfulness, we can stop living our lives like we are always late for a flight. And then we all can work to establish a “Pace of Grace” in our families so that we can help others in need.
“Do every act of your life as though it were the very last act of your life.”
― Marcus Aurelius
