July 23 Weekly Insight: Why Grace is Like Grits

Why Grace is like Grits

(The July 23 Weekly Insight from Spirituality U.)

I think that anyone who orders breakfast in the Deep South has a head start on understanding the Christian concept of “Grace. “ Why? Because in at least one dramatic way, Grace is like grits.

When you order your eggs in Mobile or Atlanta or Jackson, grits show up on your plate, whether you request them or not.

That’s the connection with Grace. Because, whether you ask for it or not, whether you are worthy or not, Grace shows up. But Grace doesn't come from a server; it comes to you as a gift from God.  According to Wikipedia, Grace is "the love and mercy given to us by God, because God desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it." This definition appears many places on the web. But grace isn’t a gift-wrapped empty box. According to the Encylopedia Britannica, “the gift of Grace comes from God to sinners as a divine influence operating in humans for their regeneration and sanctification.”

My friend, Episcopal Deacon Mary Abrams, explains this a bit more clearly when she says, “…this thing called Grace is an invitation to be in relationship with God….And God gives us the desire and the ability to enter into this relationship.” She goes on to remind us that when we accept God’s gift it is important for us then to be God’s Grace for other people by doing God’s will.

Here’s a link to find more information about the Christian concept of Grace from the online Encyclopedia Britannica: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/240435/grace