Grace

Our Ragtag Daily Prompt this morning is GRACE.

As Martha, today’s prompter, writes, GRACE isn’t the easiest word to define. Still, M-W offers eight different definitions, some with three to five subs.

Grace is a NOUN describing physical grace as shown by APPEARANCE or MOVEMENT; or social grace as in CHARM or the ability to make others feel at ease; or showing FAVOR or APPROVAL–the disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency.

There’s divine or spiritual grace as in the MERCY or PARDON of God. As John Newton, a former slave ship captain and merchant of human lives wrote after his conversion: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!”

And then there’s GRACE the verb, meaning to confer dignity or honor on someone(s). The mayor graced us with his presence at our charity function. Also to ADORN or EMBELLISH: The finest bone china graced the dinner table.

When it comes to GRACE as it relates to us mortals, most of us can relate to the butterfly. Grace isn’t something we’re born with.

It takes time to develop. Some children may have natural tendencies to be careful or supple, but mostly grace is learned from the good example of others and by enforced daily practice. “Now say ‘Thank you” to Grandma, Carter.” “No, Sara. We do NOT say things like that in public!”

Grace usually takes serious effort on our part.

We all admire full-fledged graces.

Graceful people bless our lives. People who are kind, who respect your rights and your stuff. Folks who don’t walk on your floor with their muddy feet, who don’t grab the last cookies, who consider your feelings and don’t ask embarrassing questions, friends who don’t blab your secrets, flirt with your spouse, etc

Pixabay images:
Caterpillar: Virginia Costanzo
Cocoon: Kathysg
Chrysalis: Francesco Vignati
Monarch Butterfly: Dawn Howeth