The renowned teacher of spirituality across faith said, “grace is to life as current is to ocean. Grace is the dynamic nature of things. It is the flow, the dance, the turning of the universe.” Of course, the spiritual meaning of grace can be described as the concept of receiving something from someone and passing it on until the environment around you begins to change drastically. Grace then can be seen as a spontaneous gift from God to people.
Grace is generous, free, totally unexpected and underserved. In grace, we can discover hope and healing. When we show grace to others, it is about showing kindness to someone else even when they don’t deserve it. Grace is going out of your way to give your compassion, kindness and love to another even if they might not appreciate it or return the favor.
Hope, on the other hand, is the substance that defines the meaning of grace and can be envisioned on the battlefield in times of war. As a solider in Vietnam, grace is what gave me hope that I would survive. In my terror, when facing the enemy, I trusted God to grant me victory.
As we celebrate Veterans Day across America and honor our military soldiers, let us not forget that there are so many soldiers who have been wounded during their service defending the humanity of God’s people. Many who come home from battle need medical and spiritual support. They may need our help and they may need our grace.
So, as we salute the men and women who served this Veteran’s Day, let us remember and cherish the words Francis Scott Key pined, “O say can you see by the dawn’s early light. What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming. Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight. O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming; And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air. Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave. O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Grace and hope are all we need for strength to keep our nation free. Let us Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!
By Chaplain Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net
