Most Gracious

Several years ago, a dear friend of mine passed away.  Here name was Holly and she was just 30 years old.

Holly was a beautiful as the day is long.  She was a natural Snow White, with beautiful peach skin, natural red lips and black hair down her waist.  She always had a smile on her face.  Any chance she had, Holly would sing.  She had a beautiful singing voice and her eyes would twinkle with the spirit.  Everyone felt special when they were around Holly.

I think of Holly almost every day.  A few weeks ago, I had a dream.  I was in a large ball room gathered with hundreds of people, many of which I recognized as family.  We were hugging and welcoming one another when in walked a queen.  It was Holly.  Everyone was surprised.  The crowd hushed and we all bowed.  She was dressed in a red gown and looked like royalty.  I was overcome with emotion.

A large lined formed as those in the room wished to speak to Holly.  Many took photos with her and hugged, others were crying with joy; unable to speak.  Finally, when it was my turn and I was speechless for a moment.  After hugging Holly, I told her she was so beautiful.  Then I said “I can’t believe you are really here.  I think of you every day.  How are you?”

She took my hand in hers and looked into my eyes.  In a beautiful voice she said “Most gracious.”

I held her stare for a moment, wondering what she meant, then was moved along as others in line were waiting to see her.  I watched intently as this queen-like woman loved and held dear all those in the room. 

Then, I woke up.

“Most gracious,” she had said.

Gracious.

That word ran through my mind.  It was a bit haunting.  I don’t think I’ve ever heard the word gracious used in that frame of reference.

I quickly ran to my bible dictionary.  The word gracious was defined as the following:  

Gracious

see also Kind; Mercy.

·                                 I will hear; for I am gracious, Ex. 22:27

·                                 will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, Ex. 33:19

·                                 face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee, Num. 6:25

·                                 Lord is gracious, and full of compassion, Ps. 145:8

·                                 gracious woman retaineth honour, Prov. 11:16

·                                 words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, Eccl. 10:12

·                                 turn unto the Lord … he is gracious, Joel 2:13

·                                 God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant, Amos 5:15

·                                 bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words, Luke 4:22

·                                 tasted that the Lord is gracious, 1 Pet. 2:3

·                                 gracious unto those who fear me, D&C 76:5

a obsolete : godlyb archaic : pleasing, acceptable

2

a : marked by kindness and courtesy <a gracious host>b : gracefulc : marked by tact and delicacy : urbaned : characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, and the tasteful leisure of wealth and good breeding<gracious living>

3: merciful, compassionate —used conventionally of royalty and high nobility

Gracious -what a perfect word to express her sweet life, her love of the Lord and her vision of heaven.  I think of Holly in my dream; her queen-like mannerisms and her royal red dress.  How beautifully she loved all those waiting to see her and was most gracious in her expressions.  I’m grateful for a Father in Heaven for creating beautiful words that allow us to express ourselves, even in dreams.  Each word is uniquely beautiful.  My friend Holly told me she was “most gracious.”  What a beautiful way to think of her, for truly she is.