The most popular song

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"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.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

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

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

"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.

I love this song, I love it even more sung by Judy Collins. I acquired at a young age, a cassette tape of Judy Collins, complete with "Send in the Clowns", and "Amazing Grace". I would stop, start my recorder listening carefully to each verse and word, writing them down, and then memorizing them so I could sing along with Judy. My real life opportunity came to sit front and center at a Judy Collins concert, and what song did she close her concert with....you guessed it "Amazing Grace." I sat memorized, as did the whole room. People mouthed the verses along with her, tears filling the audience regardless of beliefs or lives lived. I have come to realize what a bridge this song is, it reaches people everywhere. It is the most frequent song at funerals, Sunday to Sunday, the lyrics are brought forth in churches. I have tested my theory while bathing older confused patients. I have noticed if I start humming this melody, and then break out into verse, they will most often join in, connecting with the familiar tune. I have bridged the age, and life gap. Thank goodness for that beloved cassette tape, and learning the most popular song, what a difference it has made in my life and others.

Friends or Family

I sat the other night with an older lady as she wept. She had come to see her dying friend one last time, and say goodbye. I listened, reassured her, and then thanked her for being such a great friend. I reminded her that it is a privilege we are given to choose the friends who grace our lives. We are not given the same benefit with family. We are born into a group of people, no choices, no one giving us options. All this to say we are not consulted when our family divorces. I felt fortunate when my folks ended their marriage, because they waited till I was 21. I skipped the whole drama custody hoopla. I am however struggling now, probably more than ever at 38. I lay awake at night wondering if my past, my childhood was real. Do I remember things differently to insulate myself? Divorce is strange in that it interrupts your future, shatters your present, and makes you question your past. I am not suffering any longer, but my own children are the losers, and that is where my struggle is. I pray fervently for my own marriage, that God will preserve the life we are building as parents, and partners. I pray that He will allow me to break the false patterns of my childhood, and help me rise to the occasion of being a positive example of the light and glory of my Lord. Thank goodness we can choose the friends who grace our lives, Lord give us the wisdom to choose wisely. And Jesus knelt down and whispered.....thank you for being such a great friend.