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Preface to the Second Edition
Praise
This collection repeatedly stopped one reader mid-page — setting the book down to weigh a line against real struggle, real failure, real hope. Its honest reckoning with rebellion and doubt before grace, Forcey writes, makes the entries "a catalyst to open the eyes of the heart."
— Larry Forcey, author of The Crèche and the Diamonds Through Waterloo baseball series
From the Book
- Faithfulness does not require certainty.
- Mary is not an obstacle, but a bridge.
- In the ordinary, the sacred is always near.
- Christ did not scold Thomas for needing the real thing… He offered the real thing.
- When ill for a long time and everyone is pretending all is okay, a true diagnosis of what is wrong is the most extraordinary kindness.
About the book
These pieces move among narrative, image, and personal essay, approaching faith, longing, and homecoming as subjects for literature rather than instructions for devotion. Grace is approached three ways here — through story, through poem, and through reflection — drawing on Protestant and Catholic experience shaped by a library life and a literary life in South India and Southern California. A book for the long way home.
Forms and themes
- Short stories
- Poetry
- Personal reflections
- Christian literary writing
- Reformed, Protestant, and Catholic traditions
- South India and Southern California
- Faith, grace, memory, loss, homecoming
Who might enjoy Ocean of Grace?
Ocean of Grace may appeal to readers who enjoy:
- Literary short stories, poetry, and personal reflections
- Christian writing that explores faith through literature rather than devotional instruction
- Meditations on grace, doubt, suffering, memory, and hope
- Reformed, Protestant, and Catholic perspectives in conversation
- Writing shaped by South India and Southern California
- Stories of migration, cultural memory, belonging, and homecoming
- Books to read slowly, revisit, and reflect on
It may especially interest readers who appreciate spiritually attentive writing that does not require certainty, easy answers, or a single religious perspective.
Contents
Front Matter
ix
How to Use this Book
Ordinary Time
p. 1
The Season of Dwelling
3
The Journey to Joy Short story
9
A Song of Assurance Poem
11
Hummy Mummy: A Porch Trilogy Reflection
11
Mrs. Hummingbird Doesn't Read the News
13
The Hatching of Memory
17
The Hummingbird's Nest
19
Infinite Grace Reflection
21
The Borage and the Bees Reflection
23
Grace in the Wilderness Reflection
25
Grace in Disguise Reflection
27
Costly Grace Reflection
31
Irresistible Grace Reflection
35
Ralph Bunche and the Promise of Peace Reflection
39
The Way of Women Poem
41
The Shape of a Rose Reflection
45
Lydia of Thyatira and Her Household Reflection
49
Crispy Seaweed Poem
51
The Pomegranate Tree Poem
53
Sundust Poem
55
The Kitchen of Grace Reflection
59
Sunlit Diamond on a Winter Beach Reflection
60
Seeing Hope in the Dark Poem
63
The Perfect Gentleman Reflection
73
A Garland for Mary Poem
Advent and Christmastide
p. 75
The Season of Longing
77
Haiku on the Beach Poem
79
Haiku from the Beach Poem
79
Days of Grace Poem
80
Seasons of Grace Poem
81
The Sea of Advent Reflection
85
An Advent Wedding at a Dravidian Chapel Reflection
89
Advent as Preparation for Death and Eternal Life Reflection
95
Glowing Embers Poem
97
Pink Candles and Indian Embroidery Reflection
103
The Longest Night – OC Remembers Reflection
107
The Gift of the Unfolding Reflection
111
The Christmas Tree Poem
Lent and Eastertide
p. 113
The Season of Restoration
115
Ash and Grace Short story
121
The Yoke Poem
125
Thrice Named Grace: A Lenten Series in Five Movements
129
Grace at the Font—Laetare Sunday Short story
Historical companion: St. Thomas the Apostle and Blessed Margaret of Città di Castello
135
Grace at the Altar—Passiontide Short story
Historical companion: Hilaire Belloc
143
Grace in the Far Country—Palm Sunday Short story
Historical companion: St. Augustine of Hippo
149
Grace in the Good Country—Holy Thursday Short story
Historical companion: Pope John Paul II
157
The Shore She Belongs To—Easter Vigil Short story
Historical companion: St. Monica, St. Thomas More, and the Stabat Mater (the Standing Mother)
167
The Paschal Mystery Reflection
169
A Sonnet to Life Poem
171
Haiku from the Coromandel Coast Poem
171
Elliott's Beach
171
Marina Beach
171
Mahabalipuram
173
Christianity Was Not Brought to India Reflection
177
Acha-cha Poem
179
The Unknowns: Acknowledgements
About the author
Anita S. Coleman has spent more than three decades in library and information science as a librarian and a professor. She founded dLIST, the field's first open access repository, and writes the weekly serial Infophilia. A lover of books, libraries, nature, and technology, her writing draws on a literary life and a library life formed in diverse communities, dioceses, and parishes across two continents. She is a member of the Authors Guild. Read more about her research at Infophilia.
Cover art
Book details
- Author
- Anita S. Coleman
- Title
- Ocean of Grace: Short Stories, Poems, and Reflections
- Edition
- 2nd edition
- Publisher
- Infophilia Press
- Design
- Cover and book design by Alan Drake. Cover photo by Anita S. Coleman.
- Format
- Paperback
- Publication date
- 2026-08-11
- ISBN
- 979-8-9965489-1-0
- Subjects
- Literary collections · East Indian Americans
- Classification
- Christian living literature