Thomas Harpole

Grace

"Grace" is a wonderful word.

The roots are in the Hebrew verb חנן (“hanan”).

The translation is closest to: “to heal, help, lift up, to find refuge, strength, and salvation. To literally rescue.”

Graciousness also has a second rough translation of “to pitch a camp.”

Combining the two definitions, we could say a person who lives with grace shelters others from the outside chaos and provides temporary peace, protection, and strength.

They provide a proverbial ‘camp’ for another person to lay their head, rest their mind, and escape suffering.

Now that is cool.

When I think of this, I think of what an artist or storyteller or comedian does.

Music, art, humor, movement, story, song, and dance are just the mediums.

But ultimately, doing a creative act will help others in some way.

Sometimes we stray and crave the distractions instead: the attraction of others, their attention, their affection, or their acceptance of us.

But if we drill down and stay focused, we help others.

Give it a shot. Make something and share it. You might just pitch a tent for someone who is weathering a storm and not even know it.

#blog