Article July 25, 1994 Issue

The sufficiency of God's grace

Mary Barnes

Grace is not a word often used in common parlance, yet it's of much importance in our everyday lives when its spiritual significance is understood. In fact, I was quite thrilled when I found one of the dictionary meanings of grace is "God's loving mercy towards mankind." In a world in such need of this loving mercy, many seem almost to have lost all hope of better times, whereas if only they could be assured of God's loving mercy toward them, their confidence would be restored.

Recently I got into conversation with a man who was exercising his dogs in a park through which I frequently walk. Naturally I had no idea of the mental turmoil he had been experiencing, but he started telling me all about it. He said that after crying the whole of one day, he felt there was no way out but suicide. Although released from a home for the mentally ill, he was obviously not yet wholly cured. I was grateful to be able to assure him of God's great love for him and of the importance of leaning on God at all times.

When we parted, he thanked me and said he hoped he would see me again. This incident made me realize the great importance of expressing loving mercy toward others in all our daily contacts as well as acknowledging God's constant impartation of it toward ourselves.

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