Embracing Grace with Change

Embracing Grace with Change

By Rachel Travis

In Loving Memory of my sweet Grandfather, Fuiono Tiapula. February 4, 1933-October 19, 2024

In his memory, I choose to embrace grace with every change that comes my way. I choose to soften, to release control, and to trust that, just as my grandfather did, I can walk through life’s transitions with love and service at the forefront. As I reflect on my grandfather’s life and the legacy he leaves behind, I’m reminded that grace is a gift we give ourselves and others. It’s the gift of patience, of love, and of faith in something greater. My grandfather’s life was a testament to the power of grace in action—he lived it every day, whether in service to his family, his community, or his faith. I am grateful for my time with him on Earth and I pray the place he's transcended to, gives him a review he too can be proud of, as we all are. I love you, Grandpa. Rest with the Angels.

If there’s one constant in life, it’s change. Sometimes it arrives as a gentle nudge, and other times it comes crashing in like a wave, knocking us off our feet. But whether welcomed or not, change is inevitable—and the way we respond to it shapes who we become.

I’ve experienced more than my share of change in life—some of it invited, much of it unexpected. From my journey with cancer to the loss of loved ones and navigating sobriety, I’ve learned that resisting change only makes it harder. The real strength comes from embracing it with grace, even when it feels impossible.

Grace in the Face of Uncertainty

Grace isn’t about being perfect or having it all together. In fact, grace often shows up when we feel the most broken. It’s the quiet acceptance that, while we can’t control what happens, we can control how we respond. Grace means giving ourselves—and others—permission to stumble through the hard parts of life without judgment.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, my world flipped upside down. There were moments when I felt completely out of control, clinging to any shred of normalcy I could find. But as I learned to release that need for control, I discovered something unexpected: PEACE. Grace found me in the spaces where I let go, in the moments when I allowed myself to feel it all—fear, anger, hope—and still choose to move forward.

Finding Strength in Surrender

Change is hard. There’s no getting around that. But what makes it harder is the resistance we often bring with it—the fear of the unknown, the discomfort of not having the answers. In those moments, grace invites us to surrender. It’s not about giving up; it’s about softening our grip on the way we think things should be and opening ourselves to the way things are.

In surrender, we find strength. We realize that, though we can’t always control what life throws at us, we can control how we show up. We can choose to embrace change as part of our journey, trusting that it’s leading us exactly where we need to go.

Embracing Others with Grace

Change doesn’t just affect us—it impacts everyone around us. One of the greatest acts of kindness we can offer is grace for others as they navigate their own changes. We’re all on this unpredictable ride together, and none of us have it all figured out. Extending grace to those around us means accepting that they, too, are doing the best they can in the face of uncertainty.

When we approach change with grace, we create space for growth. For ourselves and for others. We stop demanding that life fit neatly into our expectations and instead open ourselves to the beauty that can unfold when we allow it.

The Gift of Grace

As I reflect on the changes I’ve gone through, one thing has become clear: grace is a gift. It’s the soft landing in the midst of life’s storms. It’s the reminder that even when everything is shifting, we can find peace within ourselves. Embracing grace with change doesn’t mean we won’t feel the pain or uncertainty, but it does mean we can meet it with a sense of peace and acceptance, knowing that we are exactly where we need to be.

So, as we face the inevitable changes ahead, let’s choose grace. Let’s choose to soften instead of harden, to release instead of resist, and to trust that, through it all, we’re growing into who we are meant to be.