Article January 7, 2019 Issue

Grace-filled days

Laura Clayton

Adapted from an article published in The Christian Science Monitor’s Christian Science Perspective column, September 28, 2018.

For many, the whirl of work, school, and family life can seem overwhelming at times. While some feel they can stay more or less on top of things, some risk borderline burnout by the end of each week. Still others may feel inadequate and wryly quip: “I’m great at multitasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at once.”

Being busy is not inherently wrong, but is there something that can temper busyness? How can we let each day “flow” rather than “whirl”? How can we be more productive but keep our sense of peace and well-being?

The answer, I’ve been learning, is grace. I think of grace as what happens when we feel embraced in the divine influence of God that is always present with us. This influence—God’s grace lifting a sense of burden—is the oil that makes everything flow smoothly and gently. Experience has shown me that having a graceful flow to the day doesn’t come from just being more relaxed or having a laid-back attitude. It’s about understanding grace as a sense of God’s love working within us.

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