Finding Grace in the Little Things

Sunday, November 23, 2025

Rev. Diana Johnson, IM, RScM, with Chris Netto, RScP, & Chris Johnson, RScP.

Video Chapter Index

0:00	Taizé	Clicking on a chapter link will play the segment in a new YouTube tab. Your link to this page will remain open in this tab, but the video will play in the new window. Clicking on the Play arrow in the video screen above will play both Taizé and the Conscious Conversation on this page. To make the picture bigger, you may click the full screen icon in the lower right corner: To cast the video to your Smart TV, click the Play on TV button: . Also, we now have Closed Captioning available! To access Closed Captions, start the video and click on the CC icon next to the gear in the lower right of the video screen:
20:54	Guided Meditation
44:22	Conscious Conversation

Taizé

Call to Awareness – 3 Bells

Chris N – Opening Prayer

Rev. Diana – Welcome…if you’re new with us here this morning… my name is Rev. Diana Johnson, and I am the Pastor and Spiritual Director of Mystical Heart Spiritual Center. We are an Independent Interfaith Community. We teach Universal Principles and Practical Spirituality, tracing the common threads of Truth that run through the world’s great traditions. This morning we center our reflections on Finding Grace in Small Things. I trust that you will be led to the Guidance and Wisdom of your own Mystic Heart.

We move into the flow of Taizé by joining our voices in musical prayer.

Rev. Diana & Chris J – Taizé Opening Chants

Welcome Home to Your Mystic Heart, written by Diana & Chris Johnson
I Just Want to Thank You, written by Narayan & Janet Baltzo

Rev. Diana – We ground our awareness in the breath as it moves in and out without effort…simply allowing it to flow naturally…and dropping into a Peaceful state. (Pause)

Notice how you feel this morning…happy, calm, anxious, excited, distracted…and acknowledge that feeling without attachment. (Pause)

How does your physical body feel? Maybe do a brief scan from head to toe…(Pause)

Now bringing awareness back to the breath… extending the in-breath and out-breath so that you’re breathing a little deeper…letting the breath be easy, relaxed…(Pause)

We take a moment to feel our deep connection with our global community, acknowledging the Light that each one brings into the world…acknowledging our intimate connection…

Every human being…every more-than-human creature… pulsing with the same Life…every plant and microbe, every rock and grain of sand, every drop of water…part of one Sacred Whole…a thread in the tapestry that is Creation…all necessary, all Holy, all a part of the one Light, the one Life, the one Source. As I sense my connection with all of creation, I Am empowered… there is a deep sense of Peace…of Grace…of Goodness.

Grace can be found in small things…there is immense Power in tiny acts… a soft word, a radiant smile, a gentle or kind gesture…there are ripples of Goodness that flow from the seemingly insignificant acts of Love that we share. These are the warp and weft that weave the tapestry that becomes our lives.

Within each of us, there is a place of gentleness, of generosity…there is a deep well-spring of Goodness at the core of our being. This morning’s reflections offer an invitation to activate the unique gift that you are, and that you have to offer the world.

Your gift for Goodness is absolutely unique, a signature that is as distinct as your face or your voice. This gift flows spontaneously from you in small acts. Easy to miss in the busyness of our modern lives…easy to forget that our real Power, our ability to create the world we want to live in, is in the small things that we do.

Like a pebble dropping into a lake, a warm smile when it is needed, a soft word of comfort, a mistake kindly overlooked, a remembered birthday, a beautiful message at just the right time…giving the benefit of the doubt or assuming the highest intent…holding someone’s tender dreams with them and letting them hold yours. These seemingly small things radiate with Love, with kindness and gentleness, and they have the Power to change your day, and to brighten another person’s life…we never know what ripples will come from that. There is Grace in the Small Things.

Musical Meditation – Grace in Small Things, by Luna Jade

https://youtu.be/fKec3OVc3j4?list=RDfKec3OVc3j4

Rev. Diana – The gentle impression of Love that is left by the small acts kindness we offer, weaves a thread of gentleness and caring through our lives. Nothing on this planet is quite as powerful as gentleness. It has the Power to soften hard hearts…to bring warmth to where the cold and bitterness and disappointments of life have settled in…to coax Faith from beneath the fear and great Beauty from the harshness that sometimes surround us.

Residing within each of us is this great Power for Gentle Love. It is always here, available for its unique expression in the small acts that you do. You contain the capacity for creating Aliveness, Joy, and Restoration…for being Peace wherever you go.

One minute of silence

Chris – Guided Meditation

We use the word grace in many different ways… to refer to a dancer’s elegant movement… a simple prayer of gratitude before a meal… or even an extension of a due date… It can also mean to honor others by coming to be with them… Thank you for gracing us with your presence this morning…

Divine Grace refers to the infinite givingness of Spirit… the Unconditional Love of the Creator for its Creation… freely given… unmerited… forever flowing to us from the very Heart of God… empowering our spiritual growth… transforming us… healing us… bestowing Peace, Love, and Joy…

Grace is all around us… ever available… but it never forces itself on us… it waits patiently for us to notice… to open our hearts in deep appreciation for the beauty of the Earth… to rest from our busy-ness… our concerns… our fears… and to take a fresh look… expecting to see Goodness…

We can find only what we are looking for… so let us seek Grace in all things… large and small… and accept it wholeheartedly… We are conduits for Divine Grace… as it enters into us, it fills our hearts with gratitude… and it overflows to those around us… through our expressions… our words… and our actions…

As we commune together this morning, I invite us to contemplate the Grace that is fully present… right here… right now… in the smiles we have shared this morning… the embraces… the loving words… and in the inspiration of Rev. Diana’s reflections… We are surrounded by Grace… filled with Grace… transformed by Grace… In our three minutes of Sacred Silence, let us fully appreciate the blessings we have received… and allow them to flow through us… and back out into our world…

Silence – 3:00

Divine Spirit, thank you for this day… for this communion with Spiritual Family… and for the blessings I receive from each one… Help me to always see your Light shining through their eyes… May we always be aware of the Divine Grace that fills and surrounds us… and may we never forget to share it with everyone we meet…

Returning now to Rev. Diana’s Taizé meditation, we allow our hearts to open even further… grateful for her wisdom… and for the blessing of this gathering… We let ourselves be inspired and empowered to Find Grace in Small Things…

Rev. Diana – As you set about practicing random acts of kindness in the world, those in your presence cannot help but soften and bloom…your small acts of Goodness, Gentleness, and Love have kissed them awake. You begin to cast the Beauty and the Grace that is you into a world so desperately in need.

Together, we set an intention…that unconditional, unrestricted Goodness flow from each of us in the week to come…that everyone who crosses your path (and mine) is blessed by our Presence and our Kindness. If an impulse arises to do a small thing that is huge with Goodness, do it in your own unique way, sending a ripple of Light into the world. These small things you will do matter more than any grand gesture…they paint the world Beautiful…they are the foundations and beginnings of a Love-Soaked World.

Let’s anchor all we have heard this morning in Prayer.

Know with me now…One Life, freely given, as all of Creation…

Forever expressing Itself as you, and as me…

One giant act of Grace, giving expression to all that is.

How sweet it is to know that the little things we do for one another mean so much…that a simple smile or soft word can brighten someone’s day…how good it is to remember that there is Grace is the Small Things.

We move into the coming week, committed to remembering…to offering our own unique gift of gentleness in all we do…to being the Love we seek…to walking as Grace in action. And as we do, there is a ripple of kindness set in motion…we know not how far it goes. And one ripple at a time, the world is transformed…and so are we.

I Am so grateful for this beautiful morning…for this safe and loving space…for the amazing people who share this life with me.

Thank you, Spirit, for the countless blessings that Grace my life today and every day. I Am so blessed.

Feeling Peaceful and Content in this moment, I release this prayer, trusting and knowing that it has left its own ripple of Grace for each one listening…a prayer spoken and deeply felt is a prayer answered. May I have the eyes to see that everything that unfolds from this moment forward is answered prayer…And so I let it be. And so it is! Amen!

We gently return our awareness to our bodies, connecting once again with our senses…noticing the sounds in the room…allowing the eyes to gently open and taking in whatever is before you. Feel free to look around, to acknowledge the beautiful souls who are here with you in prayer and meditation…say good morning…offer your Love. These are members of your Spiritual Family…people who are here for you in times of Rev. Diana – Love Offering

As we close our Taizé Meditation, we offer the opportunity for you to share your financial good in support of the work we do in the world.

If you’re joining us online, you can find a Donate Button and our mailing address at mysticheart.org. We thank you in advance for your gifts. We acknowledge and give thanks for the infinite abundance of Spirit.

Offertory Music Video – Things I’m Thankful For, by JJ Heller

https://youtu.be/o48yAl82PHo?list=RDo48yAl82PHo

Rev Diana & Chris J – Taizé Closing Song

A Soul’s Blessing, written by Chris Johnson

Conscious Conversation

Chris N – Opening Prayer

Rev. Diana – Welcome…if you’re new with us here this morning… my name is Rev. Diana Johnson, and I am the Pastor and Spiritual Director of Mystic Heart Spiritual Center. We are an Interfaith Community that teaches Universal Principles and Practical tracing the threads of Truth that run through the world’s great traditions. Let’s get started by joining our voices in song and giving our bodies a chance to wake up!

Rev. Diana & Chris J – Opening Music

Welcome to the Mystic Heart, written by Diana & Chris Johnson
One Big Family, written by Robin Hackett & Gary Lynn Floyd
Thank You for this Day, from Native American Church

Rev. Diana – One way we can give thanks for this day is to join in the Sacred Practice of envisioning a Love-Soaked World.

And so we enter the imaginal realm together…that space of Infinite Potential, where Spirit and matter are working together, turning all things to Good. Go with me now to find yourself in a world where all humans are living from their deepest Wisdom and Generosity…their most Loving nature…thoughtful of the impact their thoughts, words, and actions have on one another, on the community, and on the planet…

This is a world without greed…where there is abundance in having enough…where all needs are met gracefully and easily…where nutritious food, clean water and air are readily available to all, no matter where you live, the color of your skin, or which family you’re born into…

…where warm, comfortable, and affordable housing is a given…where all beings feel a sense of safety, belonging, and contribution…

Ours is a world where mental/physical health, education, and healthy relationships are ensured by social systems grounded in Integrity, honesty, and Wholeness…where all beings work and play at whatever feeds their soul and are well compensated for their Service…are valued and respected for their inherent Goodness.

Authenticity and vulnerability are not only welcomed but celebrated. The Peace we cultivate within ourselves shows up as a world free of violence, hatred, or indifference. The Love that we are here to share is given freely to whomever our hearts are called to love. We have moved beyond all lines of separation, and live as one human family, caring for one beautiful planet with the reverence she deserves.

By the Power of our collective intention, imagining, and inspired action, we have undergone an amazing transformation…we are living in a world that works for all beings. Giving no power to appearances, we live according to our highest aspirations…we do not lower our Vision no matter what the world may say. We are at Peace with our families, friends, neighbors, and other nations.

As we Gracefully step into a new story for humanity and the planet, this Community stands as an open and welcoming space for all who seek support, belonging, and a sense of Family…it redefines Church as a place of Self-Discovery, Authenticity, Kindness, Radical Inclusion, and Love.

Giving thanks for the Beauty of our world and trusting that a prayer powerfully spoken and deeply felt is a prayer answered, my Word is acted upon here and now. In full Acceptance and great Joy, and with the deepest humility, I release this Prayer to the One Who Gets It Done…And so it is!…Amen!

Bringing awareness back to the body, to the room, to this beautiful life, and to the amazing beings who share this space with us this morning…

Welcome back. Doesn’t that feel good? We just shifted the energy for the entire planet. Our prayer is rippling out into the race consciousness, doing its Good Work. And there’s nothing that anyone can do about it…our loving act of defiance for this week.

This month of Thanksgiving we are acknowledging The Spirit of Life as Forever Graceful. And this morning we have been exploring the idea of Finding Grace in Small Things.

If you were here this morning during Taizé, you’ll remember that we focused on the Grace that can be found in the small acts of kindness we offer in our daily lives…that there is immense Power in those tiny acts… a soft word, a radiant smile, a gentle or kind gesture…there are ripples of Goodness that flow from the seemingly insignificant acts of Love that we share. These are the warp and weft that weave the tapestry that becomes our lives.

We said that within each of us, there is a place of gentleness, of generosity…there is a deep well-spring of Goodness at the core of our being. And this morning’s reflections offered an invitation to activate the unique gift that you are, and that you have to offer the world. That was it…we spent our whole morning basking in Grace.

I’d like to start the conversation this morning with a short story. This is a story about a small random act of kindness that affected two lives in a big way.

An inner-city taxi driver arrived as his final stop for the day. He honked, and after waiting a few minutes, he honked again. Because it was his last stop, he considers pulling away. But instead, he puts the car in park and walks up to the door. Knock, knock…he hears an elderly voice. “Just a minute…”

He then hears the shuffling of bags moving across the floor, and then the door opens. It was a small woman in her 90’s with a soft smile, wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat. As she answered, the taxi driver caught a glimpse of the inside of the house. It looked as if no one had lived there for years. All the furniture was covered in sheets…no clocks on the wall…and no knickknacks on the counters. “Would you carry my bag?,” the lady asked. The cab driver walks her slowly down the steps of the front porch to the cab. And once in the cab, the lady hands the driver an address, but adds, “Can you drive through downtown?” “It’s not the shortest way,” the driver answers. “Oh, I’m in no hurry, I don’t mind,” she said. I’m on my way to hospice. The driver and passenger shared a quick glimpse in the rearview mirror, enough for her to see his concern and continue… “I don’t have any family left. The doctor says I don’t have very long.” The driver quietly reached over and shut off the meter, and then asked, “What route would you like me to take?” And for the next two hours, they drove through the city. She showed the driver where she once worked, the neighborhood where she and her husband once lived, a furniture warehouse that had once been a barroom when she was a girl. There were a few parts of town where she asked the driver to slow down, and she would sit, staring into the darkness, saying nothing. After a couple of hours, she suddenly said, “I’m tired. Let’s go now.” And they drove in silence to the address she had given him. When they arrived, two people came out right away. They must have been expecting her. The driver opened the trunk to take out the suitcase. As soon as the trunk was shut, she was already in a wheelchair. “How much do I owe you?,” she asked, reaching into her purse. “Nothing,” said the driver. “But you have to make a living,” she answered. “There are other passengers,” he responded. And almost without thinking, the driver gave the lady a hug. She held on tightly. “You gave an old woman a little moment of Joy,” she said. “Thank you.” He didn’t pick up any more passengers that night. In fact, he could hardly speak. What if that woman had gotten an angry or impatient driver? What if she got someone who refused to get out and go to her door…refused to take the time driving around the city. The taxi driver couldn’t shake the feeling that this single moment may be one of the most important moments of his life.

So we treat our interactions as just that, interactions, when in fact there may be an important moment waiting to be discovered. This woman is not the only one to benefit that day. One could argue that the cab driver got the most from this experience…knowing the importance of what he did…the significance of that moment…the reminder of how precious life is. I’m sure all this and more stuck with him every day after.

Not every action has this level of potential, but we’ll never know the positive impact we can have unless we try.

Let’s begin by talking about what came up for you hearing that story.

We said this morning that there is great Power in gentleness…that it may be the greatest Power we have.

Did you have any opportunities this past week to practice gentleness?

What are the qualities this cab driver was displaying?

(patience, compassion, willingness, kindness, gentleness, generosity…)

Where in your life might there be room for more of these qualities to come forward?

Did you have any opportunities to receive kindness or gentleness this past week? What difference did it make?

The Loving and Compassionate acts we offer start a ripple of Goodness in motion…we know not how far that ripple will go, or how many lives may be touched by our simple acts of kindness.

What are some of the ways you will practice gentleness in the coming week?

This morning’s topic has been Finding Grace in Small Things. We have been focused on the many ways we can offer our unique and simple gifts to the world. We haven’t even touched on the countless simple gifts that bless our lives every day.

What are some of those gifts in your life?

This Thursday is Thanksgiving…a day set aside for gratitude, for giving thanks for all of the blessings we have been giving. My invitation to you is this…in addition to acknowledging and giving thanks for our many blessings, set about becoming a blessing in someone else’s life. Become a conduit for Grace in the world…offer your time, talent, and treasure. And don’t stop there…as you move through your week, offer your patience, gentleness, and kindness. Smile at strangers…let the tone in your voice be gentle. And offer more focused attention to the people in your life…let them feel your caring.

Is there anything else that needs to be spoken before we close in prayer?

Closing Prayer – I am borrowing from Chris’s beautiful Taizé meditation in closing… Grounding us now in Divine Grace…the infinite givingness of Spirit… the Unconditional Love of the Creator for its Creation…freely given…unmerited…

…forever flowing to us from the very Heart of God… empowering our spiritual growth… transforming us… healing us… bestowing Peace, Love, and Joy…

As we move into our week, may we notice and give thanks for the Grace that is fully present… right here… right now… in the smiles we have shared this morning… the embraces… the loving words… and in countless ways we are blessed every day… We are surrounded by Grace… filled with Grace… transformed by Grace… May we also seek to be the Grace flowing through the lives of our loved ones, and all those who cross our paths.

This week of Thanksgiving, let us actively look for things to be grateful for… let us count our blessings… and share our Love… Let us devote ourselves to kindness, compassion, and gratitude… Let Spirit make each of us an instrument of Divine Grace… Thank You for the countless hands and hearts it took to bring our feast to the table today…may I never take for granted my dependence on so many Sacred Beings. May I be forever grateful.

I release this prayer in deep faith and absolute certainty that a prayer deeply felt and powerfully spoken is a prayer answered. It is coming into form and experience for each one, right here and right now, exactly as spoken…Grace is leading us all Home…In deep humility, I receive…I let it be…And so it is! Amen!

Rev. Diana – Love Offering

I invite you to join in the celebration of the work we are doing in the world by sharing of your financial Good, should you choose to.

If you are at home, you can go to mysticheart.org to use our Donate Button or to find our mailing address.

I invite you to consider joining our Gracious Giving Program by committing to a monthly gift of any size to help us in our budgeting and financial planning. We are an independent, self-supporting organization. We appreciate every dollar that comes our way, and every pledge of support. If you have found value in our time together, feel free to share the Love.

As we receive your gifts today, I encourage you to stand up and join in.

Offertory Music Video – The Thankful Kind, by Sam Capshaw

https://youtu.be/RuXE6s6283Y?list=RDRuXE6s6283Y

Chris N – Prayer of Thanks for the Offering

Chris N – Brief Invitations

Shasta Interfaith is holding their annual Thanksgiving Service this evening at 6:00 at the Mormon Church on Churn Creek. Rev. Diana will be one of the speakers.
12 Days of Kindness – We have over 130 pairs of socks…time to shift focus to hats, gloves, and coffee packets. Thanks to all who are participating.
The Mystic Heart Book Club meets every Tuesday from 3-5 pm. We are currently reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Return next Wednesday, from 11am – 1pm, for the study of The Dhammapada with Chris Johnson.
Return next week for Fast Track to Wellness Thursdays from 11:30 to 1:30 pm. This is a body/mind/spirit support and education circle.
The Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting is also taking the week off and will return next week Thursday.

Looking Into December…

Cat Cox will be presenting a Dream Workshop on Saturday, December 6^th from 10am – 12:30 pm. Again, there are more details in the Bulletin, and online.
Celebrating the Light – Our Holiday Candle Lighting Service will be held on Wednesday, December 17^th from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. It will be a beautiful blending of music and Interfaith Message. Please RSVP Rev. Diana if you plan to attend. Seats will be reserved. Heidi will have a children’s program planned for the evening, as well. More information to come.

There is more information available in the November Bulletin. Or check online at MysticHeart.org.

Information Cards only if new people

Prayer Requests: I am available after service for prayer, in our beautiful Prayer Room or fill out a prayer card and I will get your request to our Prayer Team for daily prayer.

Rev. Diana & Chris J – Closing Song

Love Be With You, written by Lainey Bernstein, RScP, & Gary Lynn Floyd

©2025 Mystic Heart Spiritual Center, All Rights Reserved
Permission is granted to duplicate for non-commercial educational use only.
All rights to music performed remain with the copyright owners.
Diana Johnson’s music is © by Barefoot Angel Publishing, ASCAP.
Chris Johnson’s music is © by SeaJay Music & Publishing, ASCAP.

Blessings, Conduits for Divine Grace, Generosity, Gentleness, Ripples

Sunday Gathering