When my father says grace before a meal, the beginning of his prayer often varies–giving thanks for family and guests, celebrating special moments. But each time his prayers conclude: “Bless this food and the hands that prepared it. May it strengthen us to go and do your work here on this earth.”
Grace reminds us that our gifts don’t belong to us alone; everything we have is lovingly made and generously shared. Grace reminds us that what we have is meant to share, to make us strong enough to bear God’s good news into the world.
-Margaret Ellsworth