Grace is an ocean
that straddles the shores
of here and eternity.
We stand at the brink and paddle our feet,
when grace would have us submerge ourselves
and float.
We treat grace as something measured out
and we judge our portion
according to how kindly we view ourselves.
We see grace as something to deserve,
to be worthy of
before we partake of our share.
Instead may we see
how grace helps us to receive
the worthiness we have always held.
Transformative grace
receives our naked selves
and lovingly clothes us.
Shame discarded
with our shoes
on the shore of the sea.
Ana Lisa de Jong
March 2018
Image:Â My own
Living Tree Poetry 