Heard on Sunday...

This past Sunday, Sue Riley, musician with a mission, shared an uplifting message on what it means to live a grace-filled life. Exploring the deep interplay between gratitude, receiving, and letting go, Sue reminded us that grace is always at work behind the scenes in our daily lives.

The Takeaway:

In Unity, we understand grace as Divine Mind acting on our behalf—even when we are not conscious of it or haven't explicitly asked. Sue highlighted author Annie Lamott’s definition of grace as the invisible shift that occurs in our broken or uncertain places.

When our personal plans or rigid agendas fall apart, it isn't a sign of failure; often, it is grace inviting us to surrender control so the universe can provide something far more extraordinary than we could have imagined. When facing a hurdle or unexpected detour, release your fixed agenda and trust that Divine Mind is working for your highest good behind the scenes. Just step aside and make room for grace.

Living in grace means recognizing that every moment, ordinary or chaotic, offers an opportunity to practice gratitude, open ourselves to receiving, and extend forgiveness to ourselves and others.

Practical Unity Tools:

1. Shift from Reactive to Conscious Gratitude: Move beyond simply saying "thank you" when a quick relief occurs or danger is averted. Make gratitude a daily, intentional mindset—actively choosing to look for silver linings and ordinary wonders even in challenging moments.
2. Become a Gracious Receiver: Recognize that receiving is just as vital as giving in the flow of universal abundance. Stop deflecting compliments, decline to doubt your worthiness, and use the wonderful gifts you’ve been given today rather than saving them for a future that may expire.
3. Use the "GRACEFUL" Alignment Affirmations: Align your thoughts held in mind throughout the day with focused, positive affirmations:

1. • Gratitude: "I am grateful for what I've chosen to do, and I treat the people and things I love with care."

1. • Receive: "I accept with grace and gratitude the gifts that I am given, and I gratefully use them."

1. • Accepting: "I am grateful for the everyday wonders in my life, and I allow grace to flow in and around them."

1. • Complaining (Stopping It): "I am grateful for my body, my health, and my community, and I speak loving words instead of complaining."

1. • Ease: "I am grateful for everything that makes my life easier, showing me I can learn new things."

1. • Forgiveness: "I am free of past hurts that held me down, and I welcome conflict-free relationships into my life."

1. • Universal Law: "The universe loves a cheerful receiver."

1. • Love: "I love myself at any age, weight, or hair color. I know I am doing my best, and I am grace-filled and grateful."

Missed the Sunday Service? Watch the service on the Inspiration Page.