Breathing Room - Grace

I don't usually speak of things like Grace.  I try to leave Theology out of these blogs.  However, I think the concept of grace may bridge several religions, beliefs, cultures and people.

The best non-religous definitions that I found about Grace is that Grace is:

a) the receipt of a positive benefit that one does not deserve to receive;
b) favor or good will

c) A reprieve from all judgment, condemnation, rejection or disfavor.

There were times in my own life that I felt trapped.  I felt forced to make the same decisions, follow the same course of action that I always followed.  Those actions were based on the fear that if I took another action I would be rejected, condemned, judged for the actions that I wished to take, but did not.   I often found this when I was part of a religious group.  There were certain opinions and actions that the group wanted to take that I found to be unfair, unjust, judgemental, and truly non-Christ-like.  Yet, I went along with them. 

There were even views that I held about other people that this group rejected outright.  It was not a good time for my spirit. 

I found later that there are people who, even if they disagree with me, allowed me to think, feel and do what I saw as right, or what I saw as the truth.  By giving me the freedom to find my own path, to seek my own truth, these people showed Grace.  True Grace.

I truly believe that Grace gives us back our choice, our free-will in deciding not only what we believe, but in being able to choose the person we want to become. 

Grace is the appreciation that we all need room to grow; to discover; to test; to find our own truths in this life.