Thought for the Week: Grace-full Quakers
Rosalind Smith reflects on grace
Who can you call to mind that has grace?
What is this elusive quality exhibited unconsciously by some, and seemingly completely missing in others?
I read, recently, an article that attempted, quite successfully, to analyse the condition of grace. It is not that a truly graceful person looks any different from another, except in a subtle sort of way. They’re not detached from others and don’t hold themselves aloof; they have no ideas ‘above their station’ so to speak; they are ready and willing to engage with whatever is going on; they don’t consider themselves to be any different from anyone else.
And yet, they have an inherent and probably unconscious way of looking at the world with serenity and a compassionate sensitivity. They regard life with equanimity and acceptance. They have the power of making others feel at ease, treating everyone as equals, even those who may have been ostracised. They can see the other’s point of view and can consider it thoughtfully before making any response. And when the response comes it is gentle, calm, understanding and, if necessary, offered in a helpful way.
We can all aspire to this state – it is well within the reach of all of us regardless of our individual character, life-style, hang-ups and inclinations; and it brings a feeling of being at ease in one’s own skin and, therefore, being at ease with the world. It blends well with Quakerism, with its silent worship, peacefulness and acceptance of others’ views. It can bring clear-sightedness to any difficult or offensive situation, defusing potential battle grounds between others. In this increasingly busy world it has time to give to those who need it; it is a state of being available and unhurried while all about are preoccupied and often rushing around frenetically.
I sometimes think that some Quakers, who, after all, have the reputation of being a peaceable people, could well consider this virtue, this grace. Too often there have been reports of dissension in Meetings, of a lack of compassion and understanding – in short, a lack of good grace!
None of us is perfect, yet we are encouraged in Advices & queries 17, to ‘respect that of God in everyone though it may be expressed in unfamiliar ways or be difficult to discern’ and, in fact, the whole of this Advices & queries, if followed carefully, will lead us into a state of grace, and our behaviour towards others will be grace-full.
Let us all take the time to: ‘Think it possible that you may be mistaken.’
You need to login to read subscriber-only content and/or comment on articles.