Thinking About Grace

Head south. At the light, turn left. In a quarter mile, turn right …

Detoured from a snarl of traffic, I kept hearing that voice—leading me away from the familiar. It happened just a few weeks ago. The clock was nearing midnight, and I was trying to get home. But that voice urged—a turn, another, and yet another …

I had no idea where I was or where I was going. But then suddenly, something looked eerily familiar.

Pulling to the curb, I couldn’t believe my eyes. There was that elementary school— where I had spent the earliest years of my life.

As I stared out at that low, darkened building, all the memories started flooding back, projecting scenes from a childhood many moons ago. The tall fence that ringed the playground. That kindergarten room where I spread a blanket on the cold tiled floor for naps.

Two streets down and three blocks over … the small apartment where we’d lived so long ago. The alley where my dad taught me how to ride a bike, his firm hand on my shoulder. The front steps where I slipped and fell—cutting my arm and needing stitches. That tiny Christmas tree...

The bitter and the sweet.

At this time of year, nostalgia so often puts a golden glow on the past. But we all know that not every day is butterflies and rainbows. Our memories are probably a mixture. And that’s life.

It’s also the reality we face as leaders. Even when clouds thicken, it’s our job to search for that small opening and inspire others to find the blue sky above.

And that starts with grace:

Gratitude—two small but extremely powerful words that translate into every language: thank you.
Resilience—it’s not the moment of failure that counts; it’s what you do after that matters most.
Aspiration—the knowledge that we can make tomorrow different and better than today.
Courage—this is not “no fear,” but rather to “know fear” and move beyond it. 
Empathy—walking in each other’s shoes and journeying together.

Grace is a feeling, an action, a perspective, a virtue that rises above the rest. Unearned and unmerited, grace is the gift of goodwill.

As the holiday season is upon us, whatever we celebrate, however we celebrate, let us remember why we celebrate. When we connect with others, we spark hope, we find comfort, we kindle joy. Indeed, that’s when we find our gifts of grace.

May the gifts of grace be present for you throughout 2025!
-NHRMA Leaders