Singing "Miss Grace"

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound

that saved a wretch like me.

   This has ALWAYS been one of my very favorite hymns. Always. I especially love Chris Tomlin's version - Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - which was written for the movie, Amazing Grace. The movie, while showing the history of the end of slavery, paints such a beautiful picture to go with this song of how Christians are freed from the slavery of sin...our chains are GONE!

  But, I now have a new reason for loving this song so much.  When Anna Beth was a baby, she was very mellow. She really didn't cry unless something was wrong. It was awesome! Anyway, one afternoon when she was probably 4 or 5 months old, she just started crying - and nothing worked. I was there by myself and I was really at a loss. This song was in my head from earlier in the day, and I just started humming it. As I did, her crying started to settle down. So, I started singing it. And she stopped crying. I was amazed. I knew then (and still know it now) that I do not have one of "those voices". I kind-of laughed and tried a different song and she started crying again...so I quickly went back to Amazing Grace (C.T.'s version). And she stopped crying again.

  From that day on, anytime she was crying and it wasn't hunger or a poopy diaper or she was super tired, I would sing that song to her and she would stop crying. I know it is the power of God's message in that song.  Who needs to cry when God takes away our chains?!?! Now, it is a part of our nightly routine.  As we rock, she never fails to look up at me and say, 'Sing Miss Grace, mommy.' Lately, she has started picking up a few words of it and will "sing" along with me.  Here's the whole song:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound

that saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now I'm found.

I 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.

My chains are gone...I've been set free!

My God, my Savior has ransomed me!

And like a flood, His mercy reigns.

Unending love...Amazing Grace.



The Lord has promised good to me.

His Word, my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be.

As long as life endures.

My chains are gone...I've been set free!

My God, my Savior has ransomed me!

And like a flood, His mercy reigns.

Unending love...Amazing Grace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow.

The sun forebear to shine.

But God, who's called me here below

Will be FOREVER mine!