'Amazing Grace'

It’s a tune I keep humming in my mind every day because my BFF Christine Dayrit and I listen to it each morning. I sing it in church when the choir or soloist occasionally sings it. Today, I will sing it alone in the shower room as I ape the quartet of Il Divo. 

“Amazing Grace” is one song that has been sung for hundreds of years. It reflects the tenacity of the human spirit to hold on to any circumstance. It’s a song of hope, of fortitude, of loyalty, of love. 

It talks about a change of heart — for the better. It talks about stumbling upon compassion and kindness. It is about holding on to a supreme promise that will be fulfilled. It’s all about believing that a new day will come, one that is better than the one we have today.

It’s a song that reminds us of Christmas — even if we sing it in the beach while basking in the glory of the summer sun — because it is full of hope and exultation, giving and sharing, which the season is all about. 

And no matter whose version you listen to, “Amazing Grace” will always be a hymn of praise.

In a book co-authored by Barbara Nichols, the editorial director of the company that published “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books, she mentioned that “Amazing Grace” was written by a slave trader named John Newton. Because of greed for money, power and pleasure, John Newton lost his soul. He lived his life of abundance at the expense of many slaves. He thought he was happy until one day, “out of the blue, grace came into his life.” John Newton was changed completely and was moved to write, “I was once lost but now, I’m found; was blind, but now I see.” Indeed, it was an amazing grace!

Amid the torrents of grief and devastation in Mindanao, a volley of amazing grace is taking place in the affected areas. Strangers help strangers. Many kindnesses are displayed. Despite the gloom, the human spirit unflinchingly glistens like, to borrow Elton John’s words, a candle in the dark. Love for humanity is the ray of hope that will keep the people of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan afloat.

Delight comes into our lives. It is this shimmer of hope that keeps us alive—even if catastrophe or its aftermath stare at us. The Filipino spirit is so pliant that even in grief we always manage to sincerely smile. It may be a sardines-like existence in evacuation areas but people still achieve a certain kind of dignity by sharing with others the little that they have or the things that they receive. Those who went back to their villages and found out that they have no more homes to return to naturally wail in disappointment. But still, they find it in their heart to celebrate because their family is still complete. But those who lost their children and parents in the deluge of the disaster are inconsolable. Yet, the human spirit is not giving up. And so is the search and rescue teams deployed in different affected areas. Where’s Christmas there? It’s not in the air definitely. It’s down there in the hearts of the people who help and who want to be helped. Now, that is really an amazing grace!

Having said that, I greet you still a very Merry Christmas. I’m also ending this piece with the words written by a slave trader who saw the light. It’s my fervent wish for everyone to welcome the New Year with hope in their hearts.

Here it is... “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.../ I have already come./ T’was Grace that brought me safe thus far.../ And Grace will lead me 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.../ Than 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.

(For your new beginnings, e-mail me at bumbaki@yahoo.com or my.new.beginnings@gmail.com. Have a very merry Christmas!)