Embracing Grace & Gratitude in Hard Times

Part I: Grace & Gratitude Series

As 2020 was winding down, I was preparing for a speaking engagement that focused on embracing grace & gratitude. These particular topics are near and dear to me. However, when we think of 2020, being grateful may be the last thing that comes to mind.

The above picture lists a few of the crazy things that happened last year. We were isolated, scared, having to learn new ways of working and living, all while reassuring our spouses, kids, co-workers, bosses, and ourselves that things would be okay. I wish we could relegate this to a year, but the truth is it is still going on, and the end is too far away to contemplate.

So, how in the world can we embrace gratefulness in the midst of this?

Well, I plan to spend the next several weeks unpacking that question in a blog series entitled “Grace and Gratitude.” I’ll start by sharing my definition of grace and discussing how it shows up in our lives (yes, even in the midst of crisis and confusion).

I don’t know about you, but I need grace to help me avoid sinking into depression as I think about possibly 12 more months of “Covid-living.” I hope you’ll take this journey with me. I look forward to sharing it with you.

I leave you with this poem that has fueled my creative thought over the last couple of months:

The birds they sang

At the break of day

Start again

I heard them say

Don’t dwell on what

Has passed away

Or what is yet to be

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack in everything

That’s how the light gets in

Anthem – by Leonard Cohen