Day 67 - Amazing Grace

I don’t want to write about the origins of the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ written by John Newton, who was involved in transporting slaves across the Atlantic. One time his ship was being battered by a storm off the coast of Ireland and he cried out for mercy and marked the start of his spiritual conversion. He became a clergyman and abolitionist, wrote his hymn in 1773 and has touched millions of lives over almost 250 years.

But what I want to recount to you was something that happened just a few days ago.

I work as a chaplain at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and was visiting people in a stroke ward. There was a radio playing quietly in the corner and I suddenly became aware that Amazing Grace, the bagpipe version, was playing. I also noticed that two of the nurses sat at a table in the room were singing the hymn, along with most of the ladies on the ward. It was a beautiful moment as every person on that room stopped what they were doing and either joined in singing or listened to the rest of us.

As the hymn finished and something more modern came on, another member of staff in the room said, “That’s better”, and I thought, “Really!” No one was joining in with the new song and hardly anyone listening.

I wanted to say something to the young lady who made the comment but decided against it and just offered a prayer of thanksgiving to God for such a special moment. A hymn written nearly 250 years ago that speaks of the saving grace of God still touches hearts today.

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.

Through 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 shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun.

Vincent Carrington