Grace (Eventually) Thoughts on Faith Essays by Anne Lamott Gale, © 2007

Lamott is a best-selling author of several collections of essays you may have read, Plan B, Traveling Mercies, and Operating Instructions. She has also written a number of novels. I confess I have never read any of her other work, but was intrigued by the title of this book: "Grace (Eventually)" succinctly sums up the way I believe Grace has lifted its shining head in my own (much less interesting) life

The essays turned out to be even more than I had hoped for - funny, quirky descriptions of one deeply flawed woman's quest to be a better person every day. Lamott describes the little battles between self and life, humorously seeing herself as she really is, and giving no quarter, making no excuses for her human failings. She realizes that we can't make it alone in this difficult world, that Grace is required just to get us through.

Lamott is known for her far left, sixties-style radicalism. She came out of the commune, dope, and free-love culture and has held on to the politics, though religion (Presbyterianism embraced late in life after having been raised by atheists) has helped her fight off her alcoholism & other demons.

One of her recurring themes that I personally enjoyed most was her struggle with her hatred of George Bush and current American politics. (Now I struggle with hatred from the other political direction but knew true feelings when I read them.)

Some other topics you will find among these sparkling essay jewels:

• What it's like to try to raise a teenager and hold on to a modicum of calm. (See the Samwheel section about her son Sam.
• What envy feels like when it rears its ugly head and how to recognize it and, if not lay it to rest forever, at least look it in its fearsome eye. ("Nudges" in the Forgivishness section.)
• Mother/daughter issues that probably put to shame our glimpses into this particular abyss. ("Mom Interrupted" in the Earth School section.
• Uncontrollable pettiness that raises its ugly head in the midst of doing good in the church. In this essay Lamott eats humble pie and explains how she came to say "I'm sorry" to her church's Faith Fair Committee.("Kookaburra" in the Earth School section.)

If you can overlook her somewhat kooky political views and her lack of charity toward other viewpoints on issues like euthanasia and abortion, you will find much here to help you get through the day.

more on Anne Lamott

G.L.

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