When i think of the story of my life, the overwhelming thought that floods my mind is that of grace. In the Christian tradition, we like to define grace as “God’s unmerited favor” or “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” Yet, grace is so much simpler and, at the same time, so much grander than that.
Grace is the story of a boy named jameel ali mahdiah, born as the result of an affair at a drug rehab center. jameel would spend his infancy and early childhood in a home where his mother could not control her drug addition, at times leaving her one-year-old virtually unattended in order to pursue her next fix. This negligent lifestyle would continue until child services became aware of the irresponsibility saturating this home.
Determined to change her ways, this troubled mother began the painful struggle for recovery. Yet, just when it seemed she was turning a corner, this tortured soul would be sucked back into the quagmire of her addiction. The more she struggled, the more she became entrenched. Nothing seemed to help. There appeared to be no light at the end of the tunnel only the darkness of hopelessness swirling around her.
Meanwhile, jameel had become a ward of the state, placed into a random foster home until his besieged mother could break free of her cruel master. Tragically, this freedom never came. Drugs claimed the life of yet another slave.
That’s where grace stepped in, turning this “random foster home” into a new family and a new beginning for young jameel in more ways than one. This new family (the Schick’s) took “jamie” in adopting him as one of their own. Most importantly, this new family radiantly exemplified God’s love, introducing jamie to his Savior, Jesus Christ: the One Who lived, bled, died and rose again to transform this destitute child into a trophy of His grace.
Grace had not only given this boy a new family (the Schick’s, as well as my beautiful wife Andrea and three precious children: Ethan, Elijah and Ella) but also a new name (james david schick, still known as “jamie” to his family and friends from back home) and a new destiny (a king-in-training awaiting the glorious commencement of Christ’s physical kingdom upon the earth).
Grace is nothing more than a gift. It’s so simple, yet that’s the very thing making it so amazing. You can’t earn it. You’ll never deserve it. You must simply accept it.
Though the details may differ, our stories (yours and mine) are really the same. God in His infinite grace has already given you literally everything in your life, from the computer you’re viewing to the very air you breathe. Now He’s offering you the opportunity to experience what you’ve always been looking for (quite possibly, without ever realizing it): a living, breathing, dynamic relationship with Him. Your heart will be forever restless until you find your rest in Him. Let God’s grace transform your life like it did mine. Thanks for reading my story.
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