But for the Grace of God

But for the Grace of God

Eileen Renders

   But for the grace of God, I would not be sitting here today writing this article. As we mature in our adult lives, especially in our spiritual understanding, the grace of God becomes clearer in our minds and flourishes in our hearts. We, therefore, are inspired to learn more about God and grow in a deeper relationship with Him. Realizing just how He intervenes in our lives when we use our free will to pray to God to lead us, to guide us, and correct us when needed, our spiritual growth has no limit.

   Sometimes, we are just so confident and full of expectation for another day of comfort with all our earthly needs being met, it can (with Satan’s whispering in our ear) lead us to become unappreciative, to take for granted all that we have been given.

   A good habit might be to institute the idea of comparison thoughts whenever we don’t feel well, or are bothered by some minor injury. To allow ourselves to think just how it might feel for a swimmer who lost their legs to a shark. When we are hungry, and out on the road anticipating getting back home to raid the refrigerator, to consider those who wait sitting on a dirt path waiting for AID to come and hand out a meal.

   Yes, these are stark comparisons, yet often the best way to help us to appreciate God’s graces, and to contemplate how we can help others in need.

   Reflecting on preparing to receive my first sacraments way back when I recall how concerned I was to “pass the final exam” of questions that affirmed we were ready. I rehearsed those questions and answers over and over, and I was so earnest. Many years later, whenever I heard someone lamenting about “Why was I born”, those questions and answers were right there ready to address that question.

   And it goes like this; “Why did God make us?” The answer was, and still is’ “God made us to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world so that one day we could be happy with Him in heaven.”  

Sadly, however, we occasionally hear someone say in conversation, “I believe in God.” And it sounds very much as though this is the first, and total concept of what we need to give to God. Not so!

   Jesus sacrificed Himself on the Cross to save us from sin. This certainly did not mean that regardless of future sin, we were saved! It was an opportunity to sin no more. To frequent the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion, and to always seek to find ways to serve Him throughout our lives because as we are all reminded this life is temporary for all of us.