Amazing Grace

Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I was once lost but now am found, was blind but now I see. I am sure you recognize these words and, if you are like me, you sang them as you read along. After all, Amazing Grace by John Newton, written in 1772, is one of the most well known hymns of all time. Did you know that John Newton was a former slave trader turned Anglican priest? Through a life filled with “many dangers, toils and snares” he was miraculously spared. It was during one such event that took place on a ship at sea, amidst a violent storm, when Newton finally acknowledged that it was God’s grace that had saved him over and over. I believe it is the hymn’s powerful message of God’s redemption and forgiveness, despite the gravity of one’s sins, that makes this song so profoundly personal to so many people.

So, what is grace? The dictionary describes it as “the unmerited kindness that God shows to people because He loves them”. Author and Reverend Dr. Tony Evans says “grace can be defined as God’s inexhaustible supply of goodness.” The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith – and it is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”. Whichever description you like best, clearly grace comes from God because we believe, not because we earned it, it is good, it never ends and it has the power to save. Let me tell you something else about grace. The more in touch with God we are, the more open we are to receiving grace. Have you ever noticed that the more time you spend praying and reading the Bible the more reasons you find to thank God? If you don’t pray or read the Bible regularly, I encourage you to do so. I promise, the more you show up for God, the more He shows up for you! It’s because we are more in tune with Him. Sometimes God’s gifts can come in really small packages or happen in fleeting moments. I don’t know about you but I want to make sure I am open and ready to receiving them. I would hate to think I miss them altogether. God’s grace may come in the form of a thank you card from a friend at a time you are questioning your self worth. It may be a thought of someone you haven’t spoken to in a while followed by the ringing phone and that peson on the other end. Perhaps you are running late to an important appointment and as you pull into the full parking lot a space next to the entrance opens up at the perfect time. Grace can also come more clearly, as an answer to a specific prayer. Grace is God intervening and supporting us in everyday moments.

There have been many times in my life I have received God’s amazing grace. As I prepared to write this blog, one specific moment kept coming to mind. It happened about 21 years ago. I was struggling with a bout of depression along with some other heavy feelings and had just learned about a relative’s passing. I don’t remember where I was going but I was driving with my infant daughter, Isabelle, in the back seat. A very sad song came on the radio and I just broke down in tears. The scary part was that I was driving onto the onramp of a very busy expressway and could not really see through the tears. Right then and there I felt a wave of peace come over me and I heard a voice tell me to “call Meredith” (a new Children’s Minister at our church who was looking for help). It’s hard to explain what happened at that moment but I know, without a doubt, that God was to thank. My daughter and I were safe. God’s grace had saved us. And yes, I called Meredith as soon as I was able and immediately started serving with the youth group at church which happened to bring much joy to my life.

It is because of all the grace God has showered me with that I strive to serve Him more. Writing this blog, opening up about my past, being vulnerable is my thank you note to God. The love and joy he has given me far outweighs the burden of guilt, shame and sin. So much so that I hate to see others suffering, especially when I know that there is hope, strength and peace out there for each and every one of us. It comes from God. It is His gift of grace. If you want to hear more, please reach out. I am here for you.

Love, Melissa

P.S. Today I received a text from a dear friend who asked “Why does God promise to deliver us from harm and save His children and yet, we have children suffering from depression and drug addiction?” I prayed before I answered and responded with the answer that came to my mind and fit into a text. But I feel it wasn’t enough. This week I’ll be praying more and doing some research about the answer she deserves and I’ll share it with you. After all, Psalm 121:7 does say “The Lord will keep you from all harm”.