In a message dated 98-06-26 18:29:48 EDT, you write:
<< wow
i couldn't think of a more different interpretation of that phrase
if i tried for a month of sundays! >
and
<<I'm sorry you feel this way. You seem to have made the proverbial glass
half empty statement. The statement taken literally, would surely mean, I
bless my place in life, but not for arrogance or ill wishes, but for
fortunate health and circumstance I am ok. >
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Janet, Greg , Gina, et al.,
In no way did I mean to be condescending or critical of those who use the
phrase, "There but for the grace of God, go I." I believe that most people
use it with humility and gratitude.
I think the quotation comes from one of the saints, who I am sure also had
only the purest of motives.
I was merely trying to state that to ME the phrase denotes some smugness and a
feeling of separation. It takes courage to accept the possibility that you
might someday be the object of such a statement. I am not disagreeing with
your sentiments of empathy, of rejoicing in God's grace and of appreciating
His gifts. I am merely reading something into the quotation that I find
annoying.
Being one of the world's most annoyingly optimistic people, I can assure you I
never see the glass as half empty. Let's just agree to disagree.
Mary
