‘Unaware, or just don’t care?’ That phrase comes to mind often enough, especially when I encounter someone who either has no idea I’m physically nearby or just doesn’t care. Last month while shopping at a retail store, I was startled when a woman walked between the clothing rack I was browsing through and me. She was forced to acknowledge me when I let out an involuntary ‘ow!’ as she stepped on my foot. (I was wearing sandals.) Still disbelieving the ‘route’ she chose, I wondered: How did she not see me? Why didn’t she just walk behind me, where there was plenty of room? Being on the receiving end of this lack of awareness encouraged me to reflect. Am I good about being aware? Not just in my surroundings, but also in my heart and spirit? How aware am I of the subtle but loving movements of God in my life? The grace of awareness is an invitation to discover what we may be missing, both in our physical surroundings and in our hearts.
I see the grace of awareness as a means of guiding us to be more thoughtful and more intentional about being a reflection of the love of the Lord, and we are given opportunities to easily reflect that love. When we are deliberate in our awareness of God and His love within us, our actions and responses to others are ones of compassion and connection, sensitivity and kindness, welcome and peace. We also seek the grace of awareness to enrich and strengthen our own journeys of faith. Do we stop to notice and acknowledge God walking with us every day? How do we engage Him both in our times of joy and in our times of struggle? Are we truly aware of the gift of His loving presence in all that we do?
With a renewed and intentional effort to become more aware, we will be the love of the Lord to those around us, recognize the stirrings within our own spirit, and know the hope of God’s nearness. May the grace of awareness open us to what the Lord wants to reveal to us as we move forward in His love.
Next week, the grace of respect.
Leave a comment