Along Came Grace

Unlike a song I fell in love with about 'leaving', you don't always want to leave on a jet plane, not knowing when you'll be back again. Sometimes, like me, it's best to take a bus or a train, take your time, meet someone and listen to a story or two. Like for example, a gentleman I met on a long train ride from Chicago to San Francisco. * His name was Yank, and he needed someone like me to confine in and confess. I listened and loved him while he talked, pouring out his heart to me. Yank shared something with me that occurred nearly 15 years ago. For a 6-month period, Yank wandered in a spiritual wilderness, and for a little while, he truly lost his way and was unsure of which way to turn. Was he forsaking God and turning awayfrom the greatest guidance he had ever known, from the one who had been his Lord and Savior, his counselor and the very essence of his life? It seems that Yank was in a dark tunnel with very little light, and for the first time in his life, he was willing to walk away from all that had 'made him, him'; from the only way of life that he had known from his early teens; from a personal and treasured relationship with his Lord. 45 years of dreaming came to a halt, to be replaced with a nightmare of false promises and broken vows. Though his story reaches the level of a nightmare, the details of Yank's sad saga are not important here. However, it is important that we slow down and learn to listen. Sure, it's good to talk, but someone has to listen. At a moment of weakness, at a crisis crossing point where a lifetime of regrets are born; when Yank would have let go and created a nightmare for himself and for those whom he deeply loved, God's Grace appeared. At that point, he felt and saw light in his dark tunnel. It was in his heart and mind to say 'yes' to the unthinkable; 'yes' to that which was shameful and 'self-destructive. It was there, not a crossroad, but a spiritual precipice where he said 'No' to his greatest temptation. It was 'there' where Yank acknowledged his wrong and completely turned away. Yank closed the door tightly and locked it securely, leaving never a crack, making no excuse, and accepted full responsibility for his actions. Yank came to himself. Or did he really? As Yank was unveiling his story, I continued to here the word 'GRACE'. One of the last things that Yank said to me, and I am inclined to agree, was that unless Grace comes along, the entire human race would be erased without a trace. Along came Grace to fight the greatest battle he ever faced. Along came Grace, not grit, to help him in his time of need. Along came Grace when Yank was being very highly enticed Along came Grace when nothing else would have sufficed. Along came Grace when Yank needed it most. Along came Grace, uninvited by him. Along came Grace as a gift to Yank. 080122PSCtest, A BRIAN STRAND PREMIERE CHOICE, Brian Strand *Fiction *Fiction based on true characters