Graceful Virtues: A Reflection on the Grace of Yes by Lisa M. Hendey

Last updated on: November 24, 2014 at 9:38 am by Elizabeth Nordquist

Graceful Virtues: A Reflection on the Grace of Yes by Lisa M. Hendey 2014-11-24T09:38:53-08:00 Elizabeth Nordquist

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

It is a gift to discover a companion on the spiritual journey from a tradition different from one’s own. Lisa Hendey is a Roman Catholic; I am a Presbyterian Protestant. Yet in reading her book called The Grace of Yes, I found that there were many places where our paths were similar, if not identical. We both grew up in homes where faith was practiced and taught. We both spent time as full-time caregivers to our children, and we both write blogs, although Hendey is founder and editor of a much larger enterprise than the one in which I participate. I read her new book with a sense of resonance and empathy.

Hendey frames some basic spiritual qualities in terms of virtue and practice. Some of those qualities will be familiar to those who read spiritual literature, but she introduces some contemporary critiques in areas where not many writers have gone. In her chapter on the grace of Humility, she ventures into the present day territory of being a leader and an exemplar in the brave new world of technology and social media, in which there is so much latitude for cheap shots, ephemeral trending and anonymous comments, both plaudits and pans. She places the virtue of humility squarely in a faithful one’s understanding of the Holy, as a child of God. And powerfully, she links humility with the mandate and practice of forgiveness: The energy I give to not forgiving or to holding on to a grudge is an unhealthy and often sinful self-indulgence I permit myself. In my lack of humility, I want to believe that I am right. (78) I find much to keep pondering here.

She is equally powerful in her chapter on vulnerability, linking it with the process of aging, and accepting the limitations which come with it. She invokes a healthy attention to appropriate self-care coupled with an acceptance of frailty.

Some of the theological and spiritual resources to which she refers are not ones that are useful to me, but I find her intention and her tone inviting, and challenging to anyone on the journey who longs to live more deeply into an faith journey that walks the walk, as well as talk the talk. Hendey graces her readers with reason and hope!

Visit the Patheos Book Club on The Grace of Yes here.

Grace

spiritual practice

Book Review

Previous Post

November 20, 2014

Two Hopes for Advent: Books that Inspire

Next Post

November 29, 2014 Advent Blue: Week 1-Longing for God

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category action Advent animals attentiveness Beauty blessing body Book Review Brigid Bruce Reyes-Chow celebration change Christmas church clergy misconduct community compassion creation David Hockney discernment Easter Eastertide election Epiphany faith faithfulness feminism forgiveness friendship God of all seasons Gods world Grace gratitude Healing hesychia Hildegard of Bingen Holy Spirit Holy Week hope hospitality humility inclusiveness invitation Jesus Christ journey joy justice kindness labyrinth Lent letting go Light listening Love Love & Salt making space marriage Mary Mechtild of Magdeburg memory Mothering mourning music ordination patience paying attention peacemaking Pentecost perseverance pilgrimage praising Prayer preaching presence reconciliation remembering repentance restoration sacred conversation sainthood Scripture reflection Seasons seeing clearly serving silence soul friend spiritual direction spiritual practice St. Francis storytelling suffering time Transfiguration Sunday transformation traveling trust truth-telling Uncategorized wisdom witness women Word work worship

Select a Month January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many days are in a week?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Twelve Ten Five Seven