Accept then Do

From Waking the Wild Spirit, the Ace of Fire (Wands); from the MentorSpirit Cards, "Grace:"

A primitive family works together to start a fire, gathering tinder and fallen limbs while the father strikes stones to make a spark. All the elements to create a flame are there, only the effort is needed. The Ace of Fire/Wands is the potential to manifest something. What I need I have, it just awaits my push to make it real. While that work isn't always easy, the passion for what I'm doing keeps me going. I recently finished a book called The Humans by Matt Haig in which an alien comes from a utopian planet and pretends to be a human. He gradually comes to realize that even with all the foibles and tribulations of earth people, they have something he doesn't - passion. He realizes that this joy is something he wants, and he willingly gives up his special gifts and his planet to become human. The book made me realize that although exertion is required, there is also exhilaration and happiness that comes from working to accomplish something. And in turn, this effort produces gratitude.
Most religious folks would probably say grace is an undeserved gift, much like a fairy godmother who uses her wand to make what is wished for appear out of thin air. But looking at the hard work of the family above, I'm not so sure about that. I like Paul Tillech's explanation:
But grace is more than gifts. In grace something is overcome; grace occurs in spite of something; grace occurs in spite of separation and estrangement. Grace is the reunion of life with life, the reconciliation of the self with itself. Grace is the acceptance of that which is rejected. Grace transforms fate into a meaningful destiny; it changes guilt into confidence and courage.
Acceptance I think is the key; I must work with what I have and keep my heart and mind open instead of fuming about how easy other people have it. My meaningful destiny will be created by me, not someone doing the work for me.