UPFRONT July 17, 2006 Issue

Just 'a little' more grace

INGRID PESCHKE, Staff Editor

To me, grace embodies movement in line with God, marked by patience, joy, radiance, a kind of timelessness. These qualities undoubtedly shine forth from a deeper understanding of our spiritual nature—and from knowledge of our Creator's great majesty. Hymn No. 189 in the Christian Science Hymnal echoes this royal sentiment: "He crowneth with His grace." We all wear this crown of grace by the very fact that we reflect God. And what an inheritance that is.

There was a time when I'd been praying about a physical challenge that made movement difficult. I felt frustrated that I couldn't do all the things I was used to doing. One day, I took a closer look at these words of Mary Baker Eddy: "A little more grace, a motive made pure, a few truths tenderly told, a heart softened, a character subdued, a life consecrated, would restore the right action of the mental mechanism, and make manifest the movement of body and soul in accord with God" (Miscellaneous Writings 1883—1896, p.354).

At first that passage looked like a pretty long requirement list for character reformation. But then it began really to speak to me about the importance of the need for more grace—and not even a lot more, just "a little." I remember thinking, I can do this. I can make a conscious effort to see how grace governs my every action, my every thought—my very being. As it turned out, this prayer was a huge step toward my eventual healing, which came quietly and naturally.

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