Something Borrowed Just For You: Someting Uplifting When You Are Blue!

May You Be Blessed! The author came across a poem in an old text published by Unity, Unity Village, Missouri 64065. From the appearance of the work, it was probably published in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Also, the ministerial team who wrote the work most likely were part of the Unitarian denomination of Christianity. I am not certain of the doctrines which Unitarianism holds that might be vastly unique from other Christian denominations. Yet, some overlap must exist in the belief system of this denomination and others.

The work had a rainbow on the cover set against soft clouds resting in a blue sky. Oh, if life were always this way! Sadly, some of us have never seen such a day.

The title of a poem found on a page near the centerfold of this small pamphlet which binds the page as one was called Grace. This is a word which many Christians use in common sayings. Yet, we all do not fully grasp what it means. 

First, here is the poem:

Grace

by James Dillet Freeman

Though God, God only, can create,
I till and weed, and then I wait,
And in the thicket of my thought Bloom flowers that  I never wrought,
I stand in wonder and behold
Beauty I never sowed unfold,
Visions of faith, insights of love,
Truth that I had no forethought of.

Somehow there is in me yet more
Than I myself might settle for.
A faith that brings perfection out
Past my own powers. I have no doubt
One day all unexpectly
The rose of Christ shall bloom in me.

And, following is a complete definition of the term "grace". It is most aptly defined in religious context as "unmerited favor". The  term "unmerited" truly should be capitalized, in bold, italicized, emphasized, in extremely loud and noticeable colors, plus blinking. Get it. Got it. Good!  "His Grace" is a term closely interwound with "His Mercy". We have it because, His Forgiveness is both beyond our standard when justified and above our standard, when we have a cursory concern for His Precepts. Matthew 5:17-20.


May You Be Blessed And Enjoy An Upcoming Week That Is Full of Grace In Every Sense Of The Word...

grace - [greys]

noun

 

1. 

 elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action:

We watched her skate with effortless grace across the ice.

Synonyms: attractiveness, charm, gracefulness, comeliness, ease, lissomeness, fluidity.

Antonyms: stiffness, ugliness, awkwardness, clumsiness; klutziness.

 

2.

a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment:

He lacked the manly graces.

 

3.

favor or goodwill.

Synonyms: kindness, kindliness, love, benignity; condescension.

 

4.

a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior:

It was only through the dean's grace that I wasn't expelled from school.

Synonyms: forgiveness, charity, mercifulness.

Antonyms: animosity, enmity, disfavor.

 

5.

mercy; clemency; pardon:

He was saved by an act of grace from the governor.

Synonyms: lenity, leniency, reprieve.

Antonyms: harshness.

 

6.

favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity.

 

7.

an allowance of time after a debt or bill has become payable granted to the debtor before suit can be brought against him or her or a penalty applied:

The life insurance premium is due today, but we have 31 days' grace before the policy lapses.

Compare grace period.

 

8.

 

Theology.

1. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
2. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
3. a virtue or excellence of divine origin:
   the Christian graces.
4. Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God's favor or one of the elect.

9.

moral strength:

the grace to perform a duty.

 

10.

a short prayer before or after a meal, in which a blessing is asked and thanks are given:

Grandfather will now say grace.

 

11.

(usually initial capital letter) a formal title used in addressing or mentioning a duke, duchess, or archbishop, and formerly also a sovereign (usually preceded by your, his, etc.).

 

12.

Graces, Classical Mythology. the goddesses of beauty, daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, worshiped in Greece as the Charities and in Rome as the Gratiae.

 

13.

Music. grace note.

verb (used with object), graced, gracing.

 

14.

to lend or add grace to; adorn:

Many fine paintings graced the rooms of the house.

Synonyms: embellish, beautify, deck, decorate, ornament; enhance, honor.

Antonyms: disfigure, desecrate, demean.

 

15.

to favor or honor:

to grace an occasion with one's presence.

Synonyms: glorify, elevate, exalt.

Antonyms: disrespect, dishonor.

 

Idioms

 

16.

but for the grace of God, under less fortunate circumstances:

But for the grace of God, the brick that just fell from the roof would have hit me on the head!

 

17.

by the grace of God, thankfully; fortunately:

By the grace of God, I won't have to deal with tax returns for another year.

 

18.

fall from grace,

1. Theology. to relapse into sin or disfavor.
2. to lose favor; be discredited:
   He fell from grace when the boss found out he had lied.

19.

have the grace to, to be so kind as to:

Would you have the grace to help, please?

 

20.

in someone's good / bad graces, regarded with favor (or disfavor) by someone:

It is a wonder that I have managed to stay in her good graces this long.

 

21.

with bad grace, reluctantly; grudgingly:

He apologized, but did so with bad grace.

Also, with a bad grace.

 

22.

with good grace, willingly; ungrudgingly:

She took on the extra work with good grace.