Rest and Prayer in Italy

Hospital Humming.

A 5:45 am moment.

A night shift.

A very restless and extremely confused patient.

A hymn hummed.

“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. Twas’ grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed! Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; Tis’ grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shinning as the sun; We’ve known less days to sing of God’s praise than when we first began. Amen!”

I sat and watched as his eyes gently closed and each eyelash lightly fluttered. For a few minutes, I just patiently hummed the hymn and he eventually fell back asleep. In those wee hours of the morning, I watched him and thought of my friend who had done a similar thing for me. At the time, my body was weak and exhausted, yet she gently hummed the song, “This Is Amazing Grace.”

In that hospital room, I once again grasped the truth of the words hummed. Such, AMAZING GRACE evident in my life, those free and unmerited blessings and favour that dotted moments of this past year.

A year ago, I returned from Europe and said, “I will go back…” Why? In 2013 the trip celebrated the ending of a painful and even difficult chapter of life (seizure precautions and a broken engagement). Hence, I wanted to go back and celebrate a new chapter…. AMAZING GRACE restored!

In a few hours, I depart for Europe.  I cannot help, yet re-read the words of the hymn and listen to the song. Tis my prayer that in these coming weeks you and I may celebrate God’s AMAZING GRACE!

Charlene