Amazing Grace - The Sweet, Sweet Song

When my son was a tiny newborn, I started singing Amazing Grace to him each night.  I did it mainly because it was a song I knew multiple verses to (six to be exact!), and I had grown tired of the children’s classics.  In those dark nights, and some dark days, I would rock and rock him while he struggled with falling sleep, and I struggled with fatigue.   I would make it through the six verses I knew, and then I’d start over.  It was a way to pass the time during those hours that I would be rocking and not sleeping. 

I didn’t think about it much at the time, but it served as a reminder to me (daily) of God’s love for us.  It was a way to keep my mind on the bigger purpose.  My purpose wasn’t just getting my son down for a nap or for the evening, but my bigger purpose is to help my son learn of the God who loves him!   

Amazing Grace speaks to me.  More specifically, this verse: “‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved.  How precious did that grace appear.  The hour I first believed.”  What a great gift God gives us, from the moment we accept Him as our Savior, to eternity.  Every day.  Every hour of every day.    

Motherhood has not always been easy for me.  (Shocker! Right, moms?)  I struggled as a new mom.  The idea in my head was very different from the early reality.  We made it through those early months, and it truly has gotten better.   Motherhood has, in fact, made me a better person but has also seen the worst of me.  Lack of sleep, hormones and enormous responsibility can do that to you.  I’ve learned of strengths I never knew existed, and it's brought to light the weaknesses that require me to rely on God … and God alone.  I’ve often thought of 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”   How relieving to realize that you don’t have to be strong in all moments!  It’s in those moments of weakness that God’s grace is extended, and His power gives you strength.  And I’ve never needed His grace and strength as much as I do now.  

We just had our little guy dedicated at church.  The verse we used during the dedication was Luke 2:40, "And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.”   Amazing Grace has not only been a song for my life, but it’s becoming a song for his.  Now, as my baby has turned into a toddler, he has started requesting I sing Amazing Grace on those nights he’s scared or struggling to sleep.  How precious.  How comforting. 

Thank You, Lord, for your grace.  Thank You for your love for all of us. 

XOXO,
Tiff 

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