There, But For The Grace of God, Go I

          I am an ungraced enigma. People waive their preferences for sons and daughters to pray God will not curse them with something like me.

          To my face, they promise to pray God will cure me of being me. Behind my back, they say, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.”

          In fairness, I understand the ancient grammar probably feels eloquent rolling off the tongue. I realize the overwhelming temptation for many to mimic without thought, hoping to cash in on the pious reward of transmitting any quote that uses God’s name. I recognize the importance our society places on popularity and the inability to resist jumping on crowded bandwagons.

          It isn’t possible, however, for me to understand where a person finds the arrogance to assume God considers a healthy body or a full wallet a virtue, or ‘graced’. I might be their test. How will healthy and wealthy people treat me? Will they toss platitudes and prayers my way and tighten their fists around the social programs I need to keep me alive? Do they believe God made a mistake with me and will be offended if they intervene? Will they close their eyes and pretend I don’t exist?

          I was born knowing my purpose. I came into this life happy, understanding, willing to help everyone without assuming their defects are curses from God. I love everyone, in sickness and health, good times and bad, rich or poor, and don’t have to marry or give birth to them to feel that way. I want to share what I have until a person demonstrates a desire to hurt me, and then, I hold that person responsible, not God.

          I am not unique. Millions of enigmas sit on stifled resources because the self-proclaimed ‘graced’ don’t want to barter health care and living expenses for the love, generosity, wisdom, and experience of the ungraced.

          How a person exhibits faith measures character. I am confident that my God graced me with what he wanted me to share with the world. I feel doubly graced with the knowledge that having more than someone else gives me more responsibility, not condemning or gloating rights.

          Here, by the grace of God, am I.