"Amazing Grace"...

“Amazing Grace” (John Newton) “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 I have already come; 'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me 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 there ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun. We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we've first begun.”

What is it about “Amazing Grace” that stirs our hearts, no matter how many times it is shared? I wish I had counted the times I have heard it, sang it, played it or directed it over the years. My earliest memories are singing it at my home church back in Virginia. My Dad was the worship leader at the time and I can still see him standing by the choir while everyone sang it with such reverence, feeling and unity. I remember my Grandma Genny playing it on her upright piano in the corner of her living room. (It was an antique, player piano…with the doors that opened to reveal the inner workings of the player option.) But Grandma didn’t need the player. She played it from her heart…with no sheet music required.

I remember singing it in our youth choir as a teenager. Later, we sang it at KCC/U…sometimes with instrumental accompaniment…and often a cappella. One very special college memory I have is singing in a cave during the beginning of the school year. It was a tradition to travel down the road to Carter Caves, have a cookout and then go inside the caves and sing together at the beginning of each school year. Wow! What a wonderful memory of precious lives singing with God’s awesome creation surrounding us…and the acoustics were incredible!

I remember singing and playing this song during our ministry years…and the joy on so many dear faces…many of whom have now gone Home. What is it about this song? A more recent memory was several years ago when I directed a youth music/drama group at a local congregation…which I named “Audience of One.” We enjoyed contemporary music…but I felt it was important to also remember those faithful hymns. I thought it would be most effective if we sang this song a cappella…with a key change or two included. We sang it during a special trip to the historical Cane Ridge Meeting House in Paris, KY, which was a great experience. But then…there was one Sunday…I shall never forget. These high school teens were amazing young people. They were the kind who would go to prom on Saturday night and sing three services the next morning. They were the kind who would volunteer to “dress up” on occasion…including ties on the guys! They were the kind who knew what it meant to serve others more than self…and remember why we were singing…and to Whom we sang. That Sunday morning, as I stood before them, they were so excited about singing this song. Again…they loved the contemporary songs…but this one was special to them. I usually directed from the back of the room…but this time, they requested that I stand closer to the front because they “wanted to get this right.” As they began singing, I can only say that there was a very real and genuine Presence…in their faces, their hearts, their voices…and all around that place. As a director, I was thrilled. But as a Christian, I was moved! Those young people “got it!” They joined countless others from generations before, who sang the song with reverence, joy, praise and honor to our God of grace! When the song was finished…and the “special little ending” was complete…I dismissed them to take their seats…and I could not imagine what I was about to witness. Grown men in the congregation had tears streaming down their faces. Dads, Moms, Sunday School teachers and Church leaders…were moved to tears. As wonderful as those teens raised their voices, I was well aware that those tears, hearts and lives were not moving because of the delivery…as much as the message! They got it…teens, young adults, parents, children, grandparents, retired and employed. I pray each life continues to sing that song in their hearts as they did that day. There's something about that song.


Recently, I played for a wedding of one of those young people. She requested that I play her favorite hymn, “Amazing Grace.” What a joy it was to prepare all the repertoire that included pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding music. I enjoyed each moment of rehearsing classical, contemporary Christian, a little bit of Country…and a couple faithful hymns. As much as I loved playing the Classical pieces, as well as all the others…there was something about sharing “Amazing Grace” that day. It had been a favorite of my dear Grandmother’s songs. I had lost yet another relative two days before the wedding. Our family had been through additional losses recently. “Amazing Grace” was a special song to many of us…but I had no idea what was about to happen. I deliberately placed this song approximately halfway through the thirty minute pre-wedding timeframe, thinking it would be a perfect place for something familiar and less “challenging” than some of the other songs. I also thought it would be close enough to the beginning of the service that it would reflect the couple’s faith into the atmosphere more effectively. As expected, there was soft, polite chatter during the pre-wedding music. I truly appreciated this…for it made my role a bit easier and covered up inevitable “oops” notes that I would hit occasionally. Hearing the background of joy, anticipation and love for this special couple…was encouraging and relaxing for me as a pianist. This background was consistent through each song…except for one. When I began playing “Amazing Grace”…there was an immediate hush among the audience. I was surprised, to say the least. But it didn’t take long to realize that a reverence, a respect and a response to the message…filled that room. I didn’t play that song in an exceptional way, by any means. The silence had absolutely nothing to do with the piano or pianist. I was immediately convinced that the same Presence I had experienced for decades when that song was shared…was now among us at this wedding. As far as I knew, not one word was spoken during the time it was played. I have played for weddings since I was fifteen years young…and had never seen this happen before during any pre-wedding music…until I played this song at this wedding.

What is it about that song? Honestly, I can’t answer that alone. Any musician will tell you that it is a beautiful, simple and brief arrangement. It doesn’t require an excessive amount of rehearsal or skill to sing, play or direct it. But perhaps that is part of the answer. Simplicity. For the message is also simple…from a child sitting in a worship service…to a choir singing professionally to a soul hearing it sung by loved ones as Home nears their final grasp…the message is simple…yet oh, so powerful. Grace…amazing grace…an undeserved gift from God…that makes all the difference…and changes lives forever. It reminds us of His hope, His healing, His peace and His promises. It touches wounded hearts, shattered souls, broken bodies and lonely lives. It joins hands from those gone before us to the young at heart with us to the young in years among us. Grace…amazing grace…handed down from the Creator of the Universe…through a simple Carpenter who emptied His own tomb…for the worst of us…to all of us…because of His love for us. I don’t know what that message does for you…but I know it amazes me, heals me, restores me, renews me and challenges me to live it and share it. Dear God, thank You for Your amazing grace. May not only this precious song touch our hearts…but the powerful message change our lives…forever.♥~thl