I was worshipping today for ‘church’ in our bedroom, watching a live stream. I’m hanging on my crutches, looking around at my amazing wife and children:
Incredible, a wife who loves God, who daily seeks to better herself. Daily relies on God’s grace and prays for and supports me – even when I don’t deserve (which is most of the time!). So giving and selfless, the way she sacrifices and has a heart for the best for her children. Her priority for them to know Jesus and avoid the pitfalls and pain that we has experienced. And then still has some left over to serve in a Bible study for hers and other’s benefit.
What did I do to deserve her? Nothing. This is Amazing Grace!
The children, varying ages, but all with varying degrees of desiring to honour God and us. Continually being amazed at how blessed we are by their hearts. Just yesterday I noticed one of the children had their old note collection on the office desk, out in the open. They had never thought anything of it so I shared with them about what it is like in many homes – specifically mates who had shared how their brothers would steal anything & everything off them. Having to have to hide their wallets. Yet here, the very thought of it not even coming into their minds. Being able to give all my passwords, bank account details – everything – to them and never having to check up, knowing they are trustworthy.
Continually helping the family, building, running the business and supporting their dad. Being teachable and humble and hard working. Being open & honest with sin / struggles / failures. The heart of *wanting* to be with their family – despite spending so much time together – despite all my failures and wrongs towards them. What have I done to deserve this? Nothing. This is Amazing Grace!
We’re in a house that we love, it’s comfortable and made so much progress it’s crazy. We are able to pay the bills (mostly on time!) and have so many blessings. The business, still ticking over, making sales just at the right time. Able to share God’s love & truth with a wide variety of people. What did I do to deserve this? Nothing. This is Amazing Grace!
So many people that care & pray for us. Text messages with encouragement, constant support, prayers. People dropping off items that may help, people making meals. A number of people have even come all the way up and prayed over me for healing. Many, many people praying constantly in the background. What have I done to deserve this? Nothing. This is Amazing Grace!
But as thankful as I am for all of that, it pails compared to what really is Amazing Grace:
Every sin I ever committed – GONE! Sins curse has lost it’s grip on me! The words of that song broke me – they do every time. My voice cracks & the tears roll…it is incredibly powerful to *know* the forgiveness and power of this statement.
I was grounded, stained, contained, stuck, buried in sin. I loved it. I *loved* sin. I revelled in it and my actions continually against God. And the people He loves so much… I had such a deep hatred of people I could never put it into words. To know that I am forgiven of that? To experience daily the exact opposite? What did I do to deserve this? Nothing. This is Amazing Grace!
A filthy, dirty, scheming, dishonest being – offered a place in Heaven? In God’s very presence? Offered complete and total forgiveness – so much so that He sees me as pure?? To be adopted as a son, into His very family? To live in His house forever?
What did I do to deserve this? Nothing. This is Amazing Grace!
A single day in Your courts
is better than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
For the LORD God is our sun and our shield.
He gives us grace and glory.
The LORD will withhold no good thing
from those who do what is right.
O LORD of Heaven’s Armies,
what joy for those who trust in you.Psalms 84:10-12 (NLT)