Asking for Grace
Lisa Ash Drackert of Kansas City, MO, USA
Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. -Psalm 85:8
After kids’ yoga class, Valentine usually launches himself at me, arms wrapped fully around my waist, top of head implanted in my belly button. He’s verbal, but only upon request and with great chagrin. At The Children’s Place, a preschool specializing in early childhood education and therapy for kiddos healing from trauma, one prominent lesson we teach is to always ask for hugs and adult touches. Valentine doesn’t love to ask, and he definitely doesn’t love to wait; he always knows he’ll get a hug from me.
The opposite is true of me: I love to ask Valentine if I can give him a hug. When I do, his face lights up. He looks surprised and astounded and in awe of his own inherent worth. I almost read his thoughts: “Someone wants to love me and is asking if I am open to receiving that love-Wow!”
To me, this epitomizes God’s grace. God is continually showering me with blessings and hugs and love and alive-ness. This is both a constant state and a continually given gift. But I’m telling you-it is so much sweeter when I ask for this grace, when I set aside my ego, my efficiency, my pride, my expectancy, and my delusional sense of being separated from God.
I have faith in a grace so loving, so all encompassing, so sweetly given, that I know my request will never be denied. But the simple act of asking makes it so much sweeter. Asking opens a spiritual space to receive. Asking opens a space for me to feel surprised and astounded and in awe of my own inherent worth which God has just been waiting to reveal to me.
Advent Prayer Phrase
“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord” (Psalm 31:24).
Advent Spiritual Practice
Breathe deeply and spend a few moments inviting silence to deepen around you. Pay attention to what is forming in you this day as you prayerfully consider the following questions: What awareness or gift begins to emerge in you through the practice of waiting? When do you notice being invited to resist rushing to the next thing and remain present with what may be slowly unfolding? What can you learn from being fully present in the waiting times?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
