The person who has come to know the weakness of human nature has gained experience of divine power. Such a man, having achieved some things and eager to achieve others through this divine power, never belittles anyone. For he know that just as God has helped him and freed him from many passions and difficulties, so, when God wishes, He is able to help all men, especially those pursuing the spiritual way for His sake. And if in His providence He does not deliver all men together from their passions, yet like a good and loving physician He heals with individual treatment each of those who are trying to make progress. (Maximos the Confessor)

Each of us is an expression of God. Each of us is worthy of honor.

Even at our worst, even when trapped in error, banality, and depravity, we do not forsake our essential nature.

I am less certain than Maximos seems to be regarding the alchemy of grace. I am not sure if it requires God's active intervention or our active acceptance or some other action, interaction, reaction, or ceasing of action.

I have found grace most present when I have stopped trying to make progress and have, instead, been attentive to my current place and condition.

Our creator God certainly honors our desire to create, to grow, and to change. But God's grace is present in regression as well as progress, in loss as well as gain.