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Grace, The Great Equalizer
by Mary Z. McGrath, Ph.D.
Have you ever heard the saying that God only gives us as much as we can handle? Do you believe it? Does your life experience check out with that statement?
Perhaps we could look at that another way. Consider that life happens and as it progresses we experience various events. Some support us and some tear us down. Some situations are easy and we coast right though them. Others test us to the limit and bring us to the point where we wonder if we will be able to cope.
In the midst of it all, when we ask and are open, something special enters in. Grace from above brings us to the point where we are up to the task and can handle the challenge of the moment, of the season or of the era of life that presents it.
How does this thing called grace work anyway? Consider that one must begin with awareness of his or her need in face of a challenge. Maybe you can relate with a fictitious character I will call Jane who was happily married for ten years. Then out of the blue her husband showed signs of weakness and physical discomfort. One day he was fine and the next day he was quite ill. Within a week Jane had to take over the family responsibilities, learn how to do home repairs that were unfamiliar, find assistance with balancing their checking account and keep the three children on track at school. How would she face this sudden bend in her path?
Or perhaps you can relate with a young man I will name Jake. He loved fishing with his dad. On their trips up north to the cabin they spent time discussing their interests in life and also talked of serious matters. To Jake his dad was the ultimate wisdom figure. Then one evening, after Jake and his father had been fishing at their favorite lake spot, his dad experienced sudden chest paints. Jake called 911 and accompanied his father to the hospital in the town nearest their lake place. When they arrived at the hospital the doctors did all they could. Unfortunately, Jake heard the news that no one likes to hear. The doctors told him that they could not save his father from a massive heart attack. Jake then, being on this own had to call his mother and work with the hospital on the next steps.
Maybe you can relate with Jim and Julie, excited about their first child due in one month. Upbeat and positive they looked forward to this new life. Jim imagined himself driving his child to school and Julie pictured herself on her child’s wedding day. Their daughter, Rebecca was born with no complications and things went well for the first few years. Only in nursery school did the teacher suspect that the child may have some unique challenges as she appeared inward and seemed to lack typical social interest in her peers.
As Rebecca matured further, the gap between her communication skills and those of her peers widened. After a time her parents finally took her to a specialist and learned that Rebecca had autism. At that moment their vision for their daughter’s future took a different turn.
Jane, Jake, Jim and Julie all faced life challenges that they did not plan on or expect. Regular people, they met with their circumstances as we all would- with shock and concern and a sense of vulnerability. Human, sensitive and weak, these individuals all responded because they had to respond. They had to do what they had to do. They had to be up to the task at hand.
Each of them knew they had no prior experience with the events that occurred in their lives. Jane had not taken classes on what to do if her husband suddenly became ill. Jake had never thought about how he would handle things if his vital father died suddenly when they were up north together. Jim and Julie had little knowledge of autism when Rebecca was diagnosed.
Yet each of these scenarios demonstrates what happens in the lives of any of us when we have to be equal to the task. How does one become equal to tasks that are completely new and upsetting?
That is where grace comes in. With the help of God’s grace, anyone can be equal to the task that occurs in life. Grace comes in unique ways. Gradually over time, those such as Jane, Jake, Jim and Julie acquire the character traits to cope with what they need to handle. Through the grace of God, individuals cope and live at a new level of normal. Open to the response from above, those facing challenge find support in groups designated for the challenge they face. Through the modeling and care of those who have handled difficulties in their own lives you too can find the grace and wherewithal to tackle whatever comes your way.
None of us have the skills to handle everything that life deals us. Yet with the help of God’s grace, we can handle whatever life gives us. We only need ask.
Mary Z. McGrath, Ph.D., speaker, author and caregiver, works with organizations, schools and parents to reflect on and improve the quality of career, relationships, and life transitions. She offers presentations through Reflections Resources, Ltd.,
Website: www.maryzmcgrath.com
Ph: 952-894-7707 Fax: 952-890-3229.
Reprints:
As seen in Stressfree Living Magazine, May, 2007.
Article cannot be reproduced without written permission from Stressfree Living Magazine
www.stressfreeliving.org
Mary Z. McGrath, Ph.D., speaker, writer and caregiver, works with schools, organizations and parents who support wellness and the family’s potential. Check www.maryzmcgrath,com for more information.
E-mail: info@maryzmcgrath.com
Website: http://www.maryzmcgrath.com
Ph: 952-894-7707
Fax: 952-890-3229.
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