Friday, February 15, 2008

I really do love Anne Lamott

"Grace is that extra bit of help when you think you are really doomed; also, not coincidentally, when you have finally run out of good ideas on how to proceed, and on how better to control the people or circumstances that are frustrating or defeating you. I experience Grace as a cool ribbon of fresh air when I feel spiritually claustrophobic. Sometimes I experience it as water-wings, something holding me up when I am afraid that I'm going down, or the tide is carrying me away. I know that Grace meets us wherever we are, but does not leave us where it found us. Sometimes it is so small--a couple of seconds relief here, several extra inches there. I wish it were big and obvious, like sky-writing. Oh, well. Grace is not something I DO, or can chase down; but it is something I can receive, when I stop trying to be in charge. We communicate grace to one another by holding space for people when they are hurt or terrified, instead of trying to fix them, or manage their emotions for them. We offer ourselves as silent companionship, or gentle listening when someone feels very alone. We get people glasses of water when they are thirsty."

If I could, I would.

4 comments:

beijos said...

love her. i'm borrowing this

Anonymous said...

wow. I love this, thanks for sharing it.

andrew mook said...

thanks cArA. can we have an empire records party soon.

Hope said...

I love her too (especially this book) ... and funny enough I found my mom has tons of her books on her shelf too. :)