Amazing Grace

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace " Ephesians 1:7

Friday the 13th is considered to be the unluckiest day of the year. While luck denotes that things happen by pure chance, grace says something different. Grace is the free and unmerited favor of God. Simply put, grace is a blessing we don't deserve. One Friday three years ago, I got to see this grace up front. On the way back from Good Friday services at church, my children and I were nearly sideswiped by a drunk driver who pulled out of a driveway in front of us (on a highway as we were going 55 mph), barely missing our minivan, and then flipped over just feet later, totaling the car and surely killing any occupants. By God's grace, we were able to quickly pull onto a gravel road to avoid being hit ourselves on the busy two lane highway. With trembling fingers, I quickly dialed 911 as I stood in the road waving my free arm to warn traffic. When emergency personnel finally arrived, we headed home... very shaken, but counting our blessings and praying for the driver of that car. 

With a few phone calls the next day, we were able to find out some information about that driver. His name was Fred, he had been released from jail on bond and he lived close by. After church the next day, that blessed Easter Sunday (a day of amazing grace), accompanied by my mother and children, I went to go talk to Fred (who had been told we were coming). With his head hung low, he listened as I spoke these words, "Please look at my children, who you could have killed, so that you might find it in your heart to never drive drunk again. By God's grace we have all been saved... not just from this accident but from our sins. I forgive you and God forgives you Fred." As he cried, he told us the story of how he had just lost his job and was taking care of his bedridden father. He was a recovering alcoholic who made a terrible mistake... a mistake that I reminded him that he had already been forgiven of.

As we all stood crying on Fred's front porch, we were overwhelmed with emotion and gratefulness.  Christ had indeed saved us all that Friday night from physical death - but He had saved us from eternal death on that blessed Good Friday thousand of years ago. Not by luck, but by his Grace. Amazing Grace indeed... can I get an Amen?

Heavenly Father, thank you for the redemption you have given us through your blood and the forgiveness of sins in accordance with your grace. Oh Lord, I pray that we would be givers of that same grace to others and that they may come to know you and be forgiven. May we forgive those who have wronged us and dare to love them in the same way you have loved us. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

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Amazing Grace - Leanne Rimes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joBxjfyGWM8