Hannah Packard Crowther, author of 'Gracing,' discusses her innovative view of grace as an active, co-creative process rather than a passive gift. She offers insights on resilience and creativity drawn from her experience with chronic illness, emphasizing self-compassion and the importance of being present. Hannah also advocates for compassionate support for marginalized communities, including LGBTQ individuals, within faith settings. This heartfelt conversation encourages listeners to redefine grace in their everyday lives and relationships.
Grace is an active, dynamic process that individuals co-create with God, infusing daily moments with meaning and beauty.
Experiencing chronic illness reshapes understanding of grace, promoting self-compassion and redefining personal worth amidst physical limitations.
Deep dives
Redefining Grace as a Collaborative Process
Grace is redefined not merely as a passive gift received from God but as an active, dynamic process that individuals co-create with the divine. This perspective encourages believers to engage with grace daily, suggesting that it exists in ordinary moments rather than in distant future promises. The notion that grace can be found in mundane activities, like doing household chores or parenting, highlights its pervasive presence in life. This understanding invites individuals to participate actively in their spiritual growth, fostering a more intimate relationship with God.
The Shell Metaphor: Collecting Moments of Grace
The metaphor of shells represents personal experiences of grace as treasured moments collected throughout life. Each shell signifies a life lesson or significant event where grace was felt, illustrating how individuals can view their life's journey as a collection of valuable experiences. This framework encourages reflection on the beauty found in both joyous and challenging moments, emphasizing that grace is continually present in various forms. The book articulates how recognizing these instances allows for a deeper appreciation of life's complexities, fostering resilience and creativity.
Navigating Life with Chronic Illness
Living with chronic illness can profoundly shape an individual's understanding of grace and their personal journey. The book discusses the struggle of reconciling physical limitations with societal expectations, emphasizing the need for self-compassion and awareness. It stresses that moments of fatigue or inability should not be viewed through a lens of failure, but rather as opportunities to redefine personal worth and contributions. This perspective encourages listeners to develop a narrative of grace that encompasses their struggles, helping them to find strength and connection despite challenges.
Embracing Inclusivity and Understanding in Faith Communities
The conversation addresses the importance of inclusivity, especially regarding marginalized groups within faith communities, such as LGBTQ individuals. It emphasizes the need for a compassionate approach that fosters understanding and action rather than deferring responsibility to future solutions. By recognizing shared struggles and hardships, communities can create safer spaces that embody grace and inclusivity. The speaker highlights the transformative power of collective care and creativity in addressing issues of marginalization, signaling a shift towards a more accepting and loving environment.
This week, we’re thrilled to share a conversation with Hannah Packard Crowther about her new book, Gracing, the latest release from Faith Matters Publishing. We love Hannah's profound wisdom, lyrical writing, and her invitation to reflect on grace in entirely new ways, the book also features stunning, original, artwork by J. Kirk Richards.
Hannah asks—what if grace is not a gift we passively receive, but a dynamic process we actively engage in and co-create with God? Drawing from life’s ordinary moments and its most difficult experiences, she demonstrates how grace can infuse our actions, relationships, and even our struggles with meaning and beauty. The title, Gracing, reflects this vibrant view of grace as a verb—alive, present, and always moving through our lives.
In this conversation, Hannah shares profound insights into creativity, community, and resilience, especially through the lens of her experience living with chronic illness and a body that sometimes resists her plans. She opens up about how those experiences have deepened her understanding of grace and shaped a more compassionate way of being. We also explore her heartfelt call to rethink how we care for those on the margins of our faith communities, including gender and sexual minorities, and to discover creative, courageous ways to embody grace in all our relationships.
This conversation is warm, vulnerable, and full of wisdom and we hope you enjoy it!
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