Article January 28, 2013 Issue

Growing in grace

Jan Libengood

I have often wondered about the word grace. It’s used in many ways—saying grace, grace notes in music, grace period on a late bill; so many variations that the meaning can get muddied.

But there’s no mistaking the way Mary Baker Eddy uses it in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures when she writes: “What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds” (p. 4).

That hadn’t really sunk in—nor was I sure I fully understood that word—when some years ago, I faced a tricky challenge. My younger sister was getting married, which delighted me; but I was concerned about my role in the wedding as her maid of honor. I had gained weight and feared that the dress I had ordered to wear wouldn’t fit. In almost every way, I just felt downright unattractive.

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