By the Grace of God: I Am Who I Am

So as I sit here in my favorite city (#NOLA), drinking a glass of prosecco at the Ritz Carlton, drafting this blog post I am truly amazed and humbled. I am amazed at what my life has become and humbled because I am here solely by the Grace of God. This reflection and moment of inspiration has been sitting with me for about a month now, and it was not until dinner the night before that I realized I needed to write this post. I was eating at my favorite restaurant, the Napoleon House, having a great conversation with a new colleague and now great source of inspiration. When she said, she is here by the Grace of God - in that moment sitting across the table from her in the dimly lit Napoleon House, 1 Pimms cup into my night, I felt her gratitude in a very profound way and a connection that is not often replicated. 

 For many years, over 5 to be exact, I have been writing this blog. During the course of these 5 years, I have alluded to my faith, but never made direct mention of it. I never made the direct mention of my faith, only allusions to it, because I didn’t want to offend a reader - who may not be Christian or to be more "professionally correct." But I have moved past that feeling now, I am a professional and it is my life. I have grown enough in my faith to understand that it is not about offending, but more about giving praise for the life I have been given solely by the Grace of God. An unmerited, unjustified and does not make sense to me; kind of favor.

Ephesians 2:8 

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift

What absolutely amazes me about this, is that I really don’t deserve it - in any way, shape or form. I am eternally grateful, but I don’t deserve this favor. I look back on my life and I am amazed at how it has turned out. Even in all the bad decisions, hurtful moments, and trials and tribulations - God still managed to find favor for me. (I won't and can't questions it, it just is what it is).  Taking it one step further, the Grace of God remains the Grace of God, although I am flawed and will always be flawed - I am who I am.

Then once I understood the meaning of the Grace of God, it truly fueled my passion and drove me to the next level - personally and professionally.  I realize that the favor I have found with God is not because I am smart, because I was able to figure things out, or make connections that no one else could see, or because I was "nice" to people (some may disagree) or because I prayed or have faith.  It is nothing to do with me and what "I" do. It has everything to do with the fact I was found in the Grace of God and I was blessed with those traits, because of the Grace of God to fulfill a purpose. 

2 Corinthians 12:10 

So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Many times, I am questioned about my motivation and my direction. I am asked about why I do what it is I do. How I can manage doing what it is that I do. Where do I think this is leading me. Over the past few months, that purpose has become more and more clear. (I wont talk about it on this blog until I can really speak to it in a eloquent way :)) I only have 1 life and I want to take full advantage of it - I see the beauty, I feel the awe, I touch the amazement, I hear the joy, and I taste the sweetness that life brings.  I just want this world to be a better place for someone because I was in it - that’s all. I am who I am...