Grace Really Is Amazing

 Sometimes I make the point at AA meetings that everything happens for a reason. If it weren't for alcoholism, I wouldn't know anyone in those rooms, I wouldn't have achieved my lifetime goal of writing a book, and I wouldn't be in a position to help others battling addictions. I say thank you God!

Chuck Smith, in Why Grace Changes Everything, (https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/why-grace-changes-everything_chuck-smith/323595/item/690097/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pmax_non_scarce_used_nca_22292660096&utm_adgroup=&utm_term=&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22296401182&gbraid=0AAAAADwY45hJ8GR9uxFB9kWBAhuG2SFIe&gclid=CjwKCAjwi-DBBhA5EiwAXOHsGQRUcJNhRYVanXm4tzTbzhexWB2X6oB5vt5FOcK22SKOGVoWb3shZRoC1OYQAvD_BwE#idiq=690097&edition=2309660), writes, "Wherever we find ourselves, God has a reason for placing us there. He has his hand upon our lives and upon each circumstance in our lives. We may be going through difficult trials, but hardships are necessary. God wants to develop in us the characteristics that will enable us to fulfill his plan for us."

Please, God, work your will through me, whatever that will is.

 Church Is No Museum for Saints

I was taught as a child that only good people get into heaven. Likewise, only good children get gifts from Santa on Christmas. I'm glad I'm not that child anymore. I have discovered God's grace, and what I do doesn't matter. There is no St. Peter at the pearly gates to review my life's works in some big book. Really, that's what I was told. Were you?

"I learned to relate to God on an entirely new basis; not on the basis of my works, or of my righteousness, but on the basis of God's love for me.... That is grace, and that is what makes life worth living.... For it's true you know: Grace changes everything!" (Why Grace Changes Everything, by Chuck Smith. You can read the book for free at https://www.cclakeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Why-Grace-Changes-Everything.pdf)

We talked about God's grace at my AA Big Book study group yesterday. Chris said he told his sponsor once that he didn't deserve God's grace. Of course you don't, was the sponsor's reply. "Grace isn't getting what we deserve. If we deserved it, it wouldn't be grace."

Chris added later, "I had a preacher in church who said church isn't a museum for saints; it's a sanctuary for sinners."

I like that. I need to do God's will, not to get into heaven, but out of love and gratitude for God's grace.

My Old Kentucky Home Is Where God Planted Me

I didn't want to move to Kentucky. I was happy living in the West. My wife wanted to move to within driving distance of our families in Pennsylvania. So here I am. In Kentucky. Thirty-five years later.

Turns out the job I got here was the best. We found a nice house in a nice neighborhood. My two little girls, born in Idaho, grew up here, achieved advanced degrees from the University of Louisville, and married Kentuckians. My wife volunteered at the Louisville Zoo, then got a full-time job there where she worked happily until retirement last year. It's clear to me that God wanted my family to be here.

My long-time goal was to one day retire to Idaho. I love it there. But I'm still in Kentucky. My in-laws moved here. My sister and her husband moved here. My 92-year-old mother is in assisted living within driving distance of here.

Yeah, I'm still in Kentucky.

Right where God wants me to be. I don't know why. But here I am. Chuck Smith in Why Grace Changes Everything knows why I am here.

"Wherever we find ourselves, God has a reason for placing us there. He has his hand upon our lives. We may be going through difficult trials, but hardships are necessary. God wants to develop in us the characteristics that will enable us to fulfill his plan for us." (https://calvarychapel.com/posts/why-grace-changes-everything-lessons-from-pastor-chuck/)

The other day, on impulse, I took the book I wrote about recovering from alcoholism and gave it to my new next-door neighbor. I don't know if he needs it. I don't know if he will read it. Or maybe he'll give it away. Maybe that's why I'm still in Kentucky, hanging out until I accomplish what God has me here to do. Until then, Idaho will have to wait.