Grace is Resistance

Grace is Resistance

It’s been a while since my son, Matt, gave me a thought to share with you. This one woke me up, literally and figuratively, eventually becoming this letter to any of you who are also in resistance mode.

(Oh, and son, since your visit started all this, stick around and write a bit with me.)

First, Matt, thanks for this title. Actually, it quickly reminded me of your own struggle with a difficult opponent; I’ve always wondered how you kept your positive, beautiful light alive while that damn disease held you captive.

Aahhh . . . I can feel you smiling and believe these might be your words:

I refused to be captive, Mom. I resisted it, but never by losing myself. I coexisted with the AS and accepted that pain came with it. Becoming someone else by living in hate or fear, or railing against my own reality only meant a different, added kind of pain. So, I chose to stay me. That was the point.

And that’s when I understood . . .

My kid was tough. He demonstrated incredible courage, creating and following his own choices over a decade, dealing with the disease from its diagnosis until his death. He managed with resolute determination to never lose himself – his personality, what he valued at his core – to a reality that, month after month, altered his life.

I can’t remember a conversation when he mentioned the word, grace, yet what I witnessed and heard from others who watched his daily life, were filled with examples. He pushed back without losing his open-hearted kindness to others or his compassionate courage to persevere. His forgiveness for those who were insensitive to his pain was grace in action.

Some days ago a friend shared her belief that grace was probably too cryptic an idea to be an effective agent of resistance. It can’t be scientifically measured, quantified or predicted. Her interest was in successfully opposing those who hold and use power unjustly. She couldn’t imagine using something so amorphous as grace to withstand the dynamics of flesh and bone. And, honestly, if grace is only a mysterious, nice ideal, she’s right.

So, my friends, try this instead. We are Grace . . . a powerful human force fueled by love. Think of grace as human consciousness . . . thoughts that direct feelings and actions, holding as much influence over us as any other state of mind and heart like fear, frustration or hope. It’s love in action, a power that neither burns out nor turns cynical when things get ugly. It’s at the core of nonviolent resistance – marches, boycotts, sit-ins, noncooperation efforts – pushing back without violent hatred and wanton destruction. The superpower of resistance, loving grace, outlasts fear, hate and greed.

Matt’s story of one gracious resistor can translate into stories of the many; after all, the many only exist when the ones join together. You’re a one . . . so am I. Grace persists through the choices we personally make to help gather and shape the many into communities who push back for the greater good. Choose grace; choose love; choose to resist with benevolence. Hold fast to the compassionate courage of gracious resistance and stay who you are at your core . . .  because that’s the point.

May grace uphold you on your journey --

Jane

To share my blog with others - copy this link into a text or email and send: https://www.janenicoletauthor.com/blog