Amazing Grace!

 
The sun is radiant in the sky,

and a strong cool breeze parts the curtains.  The fresh air encircles me as I snuggle under a warm blanket with a cup of hot, aromatic spiced tea in my hand. 

Why me?

Brilliant sunshine in a dark time.
A cool breeze in hellish circumstances.
Sweetness in a sour spell.

I would like to take credit for the wonderful things in my own life, but I know that my good fortune has often been the result of luck, timing, kindness, and the unmerited favor of heaven--the divine assistance plan also known as Amazing Grace.  I was blind but now I see.

With so much that can go wrong, maybe the miracle is that so much goes right.  I ponder the events of just this past week.

Waiting out the coronavirus storm, a stimulus check appeared in my bank account on Wednesday. My fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear?

I watched a segment on the national news last evening as New York Governor Cuomo shared a letter from a 74 year old retired farmer.  Living far away in Kansas with a wife who is missing one lung and has illness in the other, the retired farmer sent a single, clean N95 mask to the Governor.  The farmer asked that it be shared with a New York hospital worker.  A humble offering from someone who gave all that he could. A person with a disposition to kindness. How many other examples have we seen during this pandemic?  Tears filled my eyes.  Amazing Grace!

My phone seemed to ring and ping continuously yesterday as friends and family checked in.  How sweet those sounds that saved a lonely wretch like me!  They honor me with years of friendship that have given dignity and meaning to my life.  Amazing Grace!

At the daily news briefing, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine shared his excitement about the coming availability of coronavirus testing in Ohio.  He celebrated the ingenuity and investment of the people who have made not only testing possible, but the reopening of the Ohio economy as well.  This is a noble man on a mission.  He is determined!  His actions and character fill me with hope.  He has brought us through many dangers, toils and snares. 

And now Grace will lead us home.

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