On December 28, 2005, I experienced "Grace." I'm sure it wasn't the first time in my life I received grace, but it was the only time I can recall it being so bold and consequential.
With grace, I stopped smoking. And it was easy. Despite having a 25-year-old relationship with nicotine, I quit that day and never had an ounce of withdrawal. Not once! And over 10 years later, I am still a non smoker.
How it that possible? "Grace" is the only explanation I can provide when people ask me how I quit. No, I didn't use the gum, the patch, specialized therapy, nor did I find an App to help. I just quit - threw my lighter in the trash, broke my two remaining cigarettes in half, and never looked back.
I had never tried to quit smoking in the past, although I had always cut down when I fell ill. But I wasn't sick that chilly December day. I hadn't been praying for help to quit, although I am sure my loved ones had been asking God to help me at least want to stop.
Simply put, "God shed his grace on me" that day. It's the only explanation I have.
Sure, grace comes from God, but it can - and should, I maintain - come from human beings as well. It's a gift we can give those who trespass against us. And it can be a gift to us from others when we lose our way and need forgiveness and light. Giving grace is the act of walking the walk, not just talking the talk. It's not an easy gift; we may have to cut ourselves open and bleed a bit to allow it to come forth, but every time we offer it, we become better people, more emphathetic and loving to others - and ourselves - in the process.
I'm curious about everyone's definition of "Grace." And if you have experienced it first hand in your life. And how it changed you.
Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts.