Indescribable Grace

Carried along on the breeze I heard the familiar tune of Amazing Grace as I sat on the porch one early spring morning. One of my set of wind chimes is mounted near the porch and it was a beautiful accompaniment as I was reading my Bible. This particular set is tuned to that great hymn and it sounded absolutely heavenly. I have several sets of chimes outside and although they were all singing in the breeze, the Amazing Grace ones sounded above all the others.

I have mixed emotions when I hear that song, it is the only song my Daddy mentioned wanting sung at his funeral service. He, like a lot of others loved that song and it meant something special to him. My Daddy was in his late 60’s when he was baptized and he died at age 73. What grace it was that brought him to that decision at such a late age and not too long before he left this earth!

My father worked as a chef most all of his life which required him to work most Sundays, not to mention every night. It wasn’t often that he was able to go to church with my mother and me; in fact it was after his retirement when he begin to go to church regularly and he attended with us at Crestview. In the fall of 1995 we found out that he had cancer and there was nothing that could be done to extend his life. He was spiritually ready whenever God called. Without God’s gift of grace that wouldn’t have been possible. “For by grace ye are saved through faith: and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8 (CEB)

Many people spoke to me of the grace he showed while he fought the cancer that invaded his body, but he could only do so because God had given His marvelous grace to him. Even though he had asked for the hymn Amazing Grace, we felt led to use another one….Marvelous Grace. The songs carry the same message and I directly relate the last stanza to my Daddy’s life.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, Freely bestowed on all who believe! All who are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive? –Julia H. Johnston

God is waiting to bestow this same marvelous, infinite and matchless grace on You! Will you accept it?