Amazing, Grace

October 21, 2020.
By Kimberly Sully.

A few weeks ago, I was on a conference call with virtual strangers. Literally. We’re all working virtually and I had never met them before. But in that conversation, one of them said something that has stuck with me and that I hope continues to be present in my daily thoughts. As she was warning us that in 20 minutes she would have to put the call on hold to help her child start their online schooling, she said “we all need to show others a little grace these days.”

So simple. So powerful. So true.

Since then, I have tried to focus on that word. Grace. Where am I receiving grace? How am I able to show grace to others? In a world where it seems as though there is nothing but divisiveness, chaos, and pain – how can I be accepting of grace shown to me by others, and in turn freely show others grace?

To explain the most impactful example of grace I am seeing in my professional life, I first have to get personal. Deep breath. Here we go. My mom was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer in December 2018. Since then she has been undergoing chemotherapy every two to three weeks. Things got infinitely worse when she unexpectedly lost her husband this past February. I live on the east coast, she lives on the west coast. It’s not ideal to say the least. I had been trying to visit her regularly and by some miracle I was there with her when she lost her husband. My visits are now both longer and more frequent.

Why is all of this relevant? It just so happens that in the midst of all of this, some colleagues and I decided we should start a business together. Why not? Add COVID too? You bet, bring it on! How is this possible? I’m realizing now it wouldn’t be, without grace.

At least once a month, I find myself sitting with my mom for up to eight hours as she has chemo. In that same week, it means another half-day is spent going back to the treatment center to get the pump disconnected and finalize that round of treatment. In the days between and after, I am doing my best to help her in any way that I can. She’s a very strong woman, she probably doesn’t need me. But I want to be there for her and try not to let her lift a finger when I am. Grocery shopping, watering the flowers, cooking meals. My blueberry pancakes are her favorite.

During chemo weeks, my partners show me grace every day in multiple ways. Can’t attend that client call? No problem, we’ve got you covered. Need to push back that conference call? Done! Need to express emotions that might generally not be part of team meeting? We’re here for you.

The grace that I am being shown in my professional life is, in large part, what is allowing me to get through the difficulties in my personal life. I cannot imagine how much more difficult life would be if I was constantly worried that I might lose my job. Or if I thought my colleagues were going to be mad at me for missing a meeting. Or if I was made to feel guilty about the time I spend helping my mom instead of writing blog articles.

Unfortunately, I imagine there are others who are dealing with similar issues that are creating a struggle between their personal and professional lives and who aren’t being shown the grace that I am. Whether it’s dealing with a loved one who is ill or trying to homeschool children, we need to be willing to show others grace. Friends, colleagues, strangers. We all need to be shown grace, compassion, and understanding…now more than ever. And, equally as important – we need to show ourselves grace.

“Only a fool mistakes kindness for weakness. There is the heart of a lion within the spirit of a lamb. Grace is selfless strength.” ~Albert Collins.