Amazing Grace.....

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

2 Corinthians 12:9

In these last few days I am finding out what is so amazing about grace. I have learned that grace is an enabling power sufficient for progression. Grace has enabled and moved me forward through circumstances, decisions, and actions that I would have never been able to do on my own. Grace has helped me to overcome limitations and weakness. It has also been a shelter, providing temporary immunity, exemption and reprieve from grief and loss, giving me strength for others in the face of adversity. I have learned that grace is a state of being protected by the favor of God and that it is an indispensable gift.

I awoke this morning thinking about a line from the hymn, Amazing Grace. It says, "Thro' many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come. 'Tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home." The writer of this hymn, John Newton, also knew the power of amazing grace. His life was fraught with dangers, toils, and snares, many of which were a result of his own choices and some of which were circumstances beyond his control. John led a life unrivaled to fiction. At one point in his life he was a crewman aboard a slave ship. On the evening of March 9, 1748, John, 23, was jolted awake by a brutal storm that descended too suddenly for the crew to foresee. The ship began to fill with water and the threat of sinking, in great peril, John cried out to the Lord. Amazing grace must have been a sweet sound indeed as his fears were calmed and he survived the storm that had threatened to overwhelm him.

I identify closely with this line of the hymn as well as John's experience. On the evening of May 5, 2008, I was jolted by a life storm that descended too suddenly to be foreseen by humankind ~ death. This storm threatened to overwhelm and sink me, drowning me in sorrow and tears, sinking me into a state of depression. In my great peril, like John, I cried out to the Lord and He sustained me. His grace has brought me through safe thus far. It will also lead me home, on the path of healing and dealing with every danger, toil, and snare that might come my way. This life storm will be survived because of God's amazing grace.

So you wonder, what is so amazing about grace? It is sufficient, enough to meet the needs of any situation. God's grace shines in our times of weakness, where we are insufficient, He is able. He enables us to trust in the power that rests upon us in the most trying of times knowing that His power will pull us through.

Today I need a hearty dose of that amazing grace. This is the day that we say our final goodbye to my beloved grandmother and once again I am certain that amazing grace will be present. It will bear us up, anchor us, enable us, and its sound will be sweet indeed.A woman of more noble character you will not find,
her price is far above rubies.
I am so glad that she was mine,
a grandmother who never neglected her duties.

Hugs, kisses, and smiles were dispensed,
in generous heaping portions.
Prayers were lifted in our defense,
to protect from evil forces.

Gentle, caring, and kind was she,
to all who crossed her path.
She was full of life and merry,
full of fun, she loved to laugh.

A listening ear was always near,
with wise advice to follow.
Without her presence so dear,
my heart feels a little hollow.

While I will miss her very much indeed,
I've tucked her memory in my heart.
Her words of wisdom I will heed,
and from her example I will not depart.

Whenever I feel the need,
I can draw her sweetness forth.
And it will my example and source.
Of amazing grace indeed!



Amazed by Grace,
Miss Sandy