A memory from a totally different context than the book was prompted. My second husband and I, on tour for his performances and after a long workshop, had entered our motel room at about eleven p.m. He had promptly turned on the television. I did not want to listen to the conversations that were going from slightly suggestive to raunchy humor, but said nothing. He wanted noise. Able to hear the words, I suddenly directed my attention to the television as one stand-up comic, in evoking the audience’s laughter, had definitely spoken spiritual words. Were they intentional? I wondered. I knew that I’d just had a judgment release.
In Amazing Grace—fully different circumstances from that night—I considered that Danielle Steel had chosen certain words to create a portrait of living spiritually, and I was fascinated by how many I was finding. I have made only slight changes in bringing them to you: be graceful, poised, serene, open, kind, understanding, supportive, merciful, and more mellow; live with wisdom, courage, humility, cheerful deprivation, faith, good nature, love, humor, joy, loyalty, honesty, gentleness, and peace; know that obedience makes life simple and forgiveness brings a state of amazing grace; remember that we are here to serve not to run things or tell others how to live their lives; to love means to be compassionate and then grace comes in; may we minister to the wounded of spirit and pray for burdens to be lifted from hearts. Our superior is God and we work for Him.*
“My realization is, “Spirituality exists all around us, and when recognized, may enhance our awareness that is the energy behind our thoughtful change to new behaviors.”
* Danielle Steel, Amazing Grace