Grace

Just the other day I was telling The Husband that I wish I had been blessed with a lovely name - like Joy or Beth or something feminine rather than the one I got.  And after the last few days I think I really should have been named Grace.  I need that subliminal nudge to be more graceful.

Saturday evening I broke a glass bowl.  Last night I broke a class candlestick holder. I'd like to attribute both incidents to the fact that I'm on the short side.  And being short in a tall world is a bit of a challenge.  But in reality, my being short is only a sidenote.  I'm just clumsy.  Last night's breakage occurred at ten when I was putting the dishes from the dishwasher in the cupboards.  So there I was, at ten p.m. (I guess that's the time I should just pack it in and head to bed, I wasn't at my best.) sweeping, vacuuming and going over the floor with the Swiffer to get all the stray shards.  I even had to vacuum the stairs.  Took me a long time to relax once I finally got in bed.

In the meantime, I've broken an earring, nearly put a hole in my sweater (caught it on the drawer) broken a couple fingernails, and in general exhibited a distinct lack of graceful tendencies.

Sigh.  

Yes, I need some grace.

It was a stunningly beautiful sky this morning.

And I surely wonder what's going on in the world.  People around me seem unusually stressed and anxious.  Job situations are miserable. People are grumpy.  Even this morning on my walk I was told by a complete stranger (who also took off his dog's leash and encouraged him to run wild) to pick up my pace and really get walking.  (Seriously, is how I walk his business?) This article from this morning's Deseret News is worth reading.  I hope to always be kind, though I know I'm really not.

Nice Or Kind?

And I find my spirit responding with discouragement.  I dislike discouragement.  I want to always invite The Holy Ghost to be my companion and help me to respond as a disciple of Christ would.

So, am I still grateful?  Resoundingly, yes.  I'm grateful for my morning walks that start my day in the best possible way.  I'm grateful for a new washer and dryer that work so well and make my tasks easier (though I'm still figuring them out).  I'm grateful for sunshine and flowers.  For shoes that help my feet feel better.  For seemingly unending supply of hugs and deep kindness from The Husband. He must be some kind of superman - he puts up with so much, he's so patient, and so diligent regardless of his own personal inconvenience. And today I'm hoping.  Hoping for better things to come our way.  Hoping for Heavenly Father's hand in our lives, helping us to know we matter and that we aren't a complete disappointment. So, I'm grateful for hope.