The Grace With Which You Accept What’s Not Meant For You
By Thoughtis
Unrest derives largely from that which we don’t have the grace to accept isn’t for us. I can think of so many incidents in my own life in which I’ve struggled only because I couldn’t accept what was innately meant (and not meant) for me. Easier said than done, I know. But the things we leave behind are never as wonderful as those that we eventually find. The path is long and unknown but we continue because we know it’s also one of growth and experience. The most beautiful things arise from the least promising situations… light can only shine in the darkness, right? To have the grace to accept what isn’t meant for you is cultivated by finding hope, trust and faith that you will find greater things, bigger loves and better days. Knowing that when things least look like they’re going to change, that’s usually when they do.
It’s like there’s some extraneous force that can see beyond what you can and can guide you to better things. This is your God, parent and best friend. Finding trust in it is grace. The things you cannot change are the things you’d want to change if you had them. Doesn’t seem like it now, but trust me. The universe has the best understanding of what’s meant for us—especially when we don’t.
There’s a famous Christian parable that I feel applies well to this idea. Please note that I do not affiliate myself with Christianity, so I would like to use this just as text to be analyzed.
One night a man had a dream. he dreamed that he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonged to him, and the other to the Lord. When he looked back at the footprints, he noticed that many times there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.” The Lord replied, “During your times of trial and suffering, when you only see one set of footprints, was when I carried you.”
This, I believe, is human-projection of the idea that when it least seems the universe is on your side, it’s most guiding you and carrying you. It aligns with my overarching belief that the common themes throughout religion and spirituality in general are the things we should most note. That is how I’ve built my own spirituality and I think that even if you decide to practice one definitive religion, it’s still important to consider the ideas and principles of others.
I digress. The point is, this idea of a universe that knows more than we do and guides us when we most feel that we are alone is an idea that has been discussed and perpetuated for years. I hope that you consider this within the context of your own struggles. This too shall pass, my friends.