Amazing Grace

She approaches the podium. Shoulders back, torso erect. She purses her lips, prepared to speak before the crowd of thousands. A wave of anxiety rushes over her. She leans back on her five-inch heels to steady herself, hoping no one has noticed her slight bauble.

Get it together Cynthia. You’ve done this a million times. Inhaling deeply, she counts to five, then begins to belt out the first note.

“A-mazing, grace…”

The murmuring crowd falls silent, as they sit in awe of her melodious voice. Some nod their head, while others capture each word in their spirit.

After completing the first refrain, Cynthia begins her message of God’s mercy and grace. She illuminates her story of redemption, intertwining scriptures of salvation, God’s lovingkindness, and encouraging words she embraced from her pastors.

A few “amens” and “glory to God” are sprinkled upon her like a light rain on a sunshiny day. It pushes her on. She is hopeful someone in the audience will make the decision she made so many years ago – the decision to follow Christ.