Amazing Grace

Six years ago, I was fortunate to have lived in Paris for 2 months. I went to market daily as the French do, I walked everywhere as the French do, I learned to eat dinner later as the French do and I joined a gym so I could continue my daily work-out routine.

The 2nd to last day before I was to return home we had a substitute teacher for our weight training class. She played music with each set of exercises to motivate us. At one point, she began playing Amazing Grace. Tears started to form in my eyes. Not only is this a beautiful song, but because of its association to me with funerals, it always made me cry. I assumed this teacher didn't speak English and didn't understand what this song was about and so after class I dutifully told her that in America this song is played at funerals and that is why it brought emotion to me.

Over the last several months, I have learned what this song is really about and a few days ago actually read the words.

John Newton was an English slave trader. In 1748, after picking up his cargo there was a severe storm. Water began filling the ship and Newton felt they were doomed to die. He was not a paricularly religious man, but he began to pray to God begging Him to save their lives. After the storm passed, John's conversion to a pastoral life began. He gave up drinking, swearing and gambling and wrote the words to Amazing Grace along with other hymns, as well.

Later in life, he became an Anglican (English church) minister fighting with Wilbur Wilburforce as an abolishinist to put an end to the abominable slave trade that existed at this time.

After learning about the roots of the song, I wanted to actually read the lyrics. After doing so, I began to realize that this song was about me; not that I was a slave trader, but because of the simple fact that I had not paid attention to the signs since childhood that I was destined to acknowledge my Spiritual Self. I chose to abandon God/The Universe for a long time. I came to find Him after a challenging period in my life and I finally opened my heart to Grace to celebrate Him. I now rejoice in this song as a symbol of rebirth and reawakening, not just a sad song to be played at funerals.

I share with you the lyrics to AMAZING GRACE:

"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...

we have already come.

T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...

and Grace will lead us 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.

When we've been here ten thousand years...

bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise...

then when we've first begun.

"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.

(end)

Thanks for reading!

Namaste! (The Light in me recognizes the Light in you!)