On a good day, parenting will test the integrity of your character. On a bad day, parenting will test your will to live. Parenting children with trauma histories will cause you to test the integrity of everything and everyone you thought you knew, for the rest of your life.
~J. Skrobisz

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Stretching Grace

It takes GRACE to be kind
When faced with hatred.
 


Stained Glass at local historic Jesuit church

It takes GRACE to love
When you are despised.

grace (noun)
1.a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b : a virtue coming from God c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace
2a : approval, favor b archaic : mercy, pardon c : a special favor : privilege d : disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency e : a temporary exemption : reprieve
3a : a charming or attractive trait or characteristic b : a pleasing appearance or effect : charm c : ease and suppleness of movement or bearing
4. used as a title of address or reference for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop
5. a short prayer at a meal asking a blessing or giving thanks
6. plural capitalized : three sister goddesses in Greek mythology who are the givers of charm and beauty
7. a musical trill, turn, or appoggiatura
8. a : sense of propriety or right b : the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful

GRACE makes it possible to find beauty
Among thorns and brambles.

More glass from historic church
reminds me of dresden wheel in quilting

If you try hard enough
You can stretch the limits of GRACE
to the least among us.
grace(verb)
1: to confer dignity or honor on
2: adorn, embellish

How often has GRACE 
been extended to you
without  request for a return?

Stained Glass at Jesuit Church

For Grace are ye saved through faith, and not of yourselves it is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9


If GRACE alludes you
perhaps it is because you have
alluded being found.

U2 - Grace

In this life, GRACE makes beauty
out of ugly things.

Our dog, Grace

GRACE finds goodness in everything.



The alter at a local historic Episcopal church

Give a little GRACE
Even though it be thrown back in your face.

More glass from the Episcopal church

Stretch GRACE beyond 
your limits
Because GRACE 
is limitless.

3 comments:

GB's Mom said...

You have more grace than you know. If you only saw the amazing, strong woman that I love.

Sammie said...

Sending you some grace. We are on a journey with your kids that only those who have lived it will understand. I stand with you in all your struggles and send you much grace. I admire your passion and ability to remain sane, despite all the craziness you are surrounded with. I got some good news for my son in terms of placment for him. I hope you can soon find some real services and a place for your daughter.

Lisa said...

What beautiful stained glass! I hope you are extending grace to yourself and understand that YOU are not the problem. We can understand that on a logical level, but I think we Mom's tend to heap lots of judgement on ourselves when we cannot make everything better. This includes you feeling bad about what Sissy does to the rest of the family. I struggle with how certain kids at my house ruin it for everyone else. How my dh and I both have our afternoons/evenings where all we want to do is take a nap, or be left the heck alone. Last night it was both of us (not good). Yesterday was one of those, "what exactly does a nervous breakdown look like?" kind of days where I questioned my sanity too much and by the end of the day had a splitting headache. I needed to give myself permission to take care of ME before I ended up with a puking migraine, in spite of the fact that dh needed time to himself too - which he got, just not before I got rid of my headache. So, give yourself grace and work on it with Sissy. It's awful hard to love when you are despised. It is much easier to just disassociate from the anger and hatefulness.