How to Say Grace

Next weekend, I’m speaking at the Texas Realtors Convention here in Austin. No, I’m not a realtor ~ matter of fact, I know very little about buying and selling property. I’ve been asked to give an inspirational message at the convention on Sunday morning.

I’ll be talking about gratitude.

So, of course, that means this week I’ve been struggling with a crappy kind of, non-grateful attitude. I feel totally disqualified. But that drives me to stay small. To remember that even my attitude is connected to and dependent on God.

Last night, I had a little tear-fest. (My husband was very patient.) And I went to bed overwhelmed. This morning, I woke up very early and whispered a thank you. Said grace over this day, my to-do list, my family, and my job. I also said grace over my life complications. Unanswered questions. Unresolved problems. I whispered a thank you.

Because I have specific instructions to say thank you in everything.

Today, I will remember to say grace.

You say grace before meals.  All right.  But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink. 

~G.K. Chesterton