Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

It was a picture perfect fall day that found me down at the lake.  As I turned toward my normal walking path, I heard the ethereal sounds of a pan flute playing the melody of Amazing Grace and it caused me to stop.

At the bottom of the hill, sitting alone on a bench, I spied the source and headed toward him, singing the words under my breath.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come.  Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far, and Grace will lead me home.

I thought about this past year and all of its concerns.  All of my doubts and fears.  All the impossible situations.  And all of God's grace bringing me safely to where I am today.

The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures.  He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.

He's been so faithful to that promise.  Not in my time, but in His.  I have a new home even though I couldn't see past the threat of homelessness.  I have a new job even though I had begun to wonder if a door would ever open.  And this past week, He gave me a little glimpse into how He was moving behind the scenes to secure this wonderful position for me.

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor. 4:17-18

When we've been there 10,000 years...bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we first begun.

This last verse was written by an anonymous author, added after the original was penned by John Newton, and it is one of my favorites.  Sometimes when I'm worshipping in song on a Sunday morning, or in my quiet time, I reflect on these words and smile at the thought of praising God and thanking Him for His goodness, and mercy, and faithfulness, and love...forever.

The man with the flute went on to play other tunes I did not recognize.  They were just as delicate and wistful as the first, but they weren't the same.  Only God's amazing grace could be so gentle and beautiful and powerful all at the same time.

I was grateful for the reminder.