As I prepared for the reflection for today, my thoughts seemed to be all over the place. So, I decided to take a break and watch old America’s Got’s Talent. Much to my surprise, I came across a moving and powerful episode. Now for many it probably did not mean a thing, for me it caught my attention and reminded me of the song the Mississippi Mass Choir sings, “Your Grace and Mercy”, with that I would like to share with you the show’s content.
There was a man by the name of Archie Williams from Louisiana who appeared on the,show at the beginning as usual Archie was asked his name and to tell the cast a little about himself. He did and the truth of Archie caught everyone’s attention. Archie informed the cast and the audience that he had had been incarcerated for 37 years, in Louisiana for a crime he did not commit he was sent to prison December 1982 and released in March 2019. He was 22 years old when he was incarcerated and 58 at the time of release. He was sentenced to 80 years with life without the possibility of parole.
In 1996 Mr. Williams got involved with the Innocent Project, it took 20 years to change wrong to right and 24 hours for it to happen.
What caught my attention was Mr. Williams humility, when asked how he managed to he stated he sang and prayed. That’s a testimony that prayer works. His humility also showed up as he stated that it’s just not me who is innocent here there are others. Remember, C. S. Lewis defined humility as not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.
I am reminded of Mississippi Mass as they sang: "your grace and mercy brought me through, I am living this moment because of you of you, I want to thank you and praise you to, your grace and mercy brought me through." How about you? Has his grace and mercy brought you through?
As we walk through the changes we face today and not sure of a lot, we must keep praying and believing that he is able and He has promised never to leave us alone.
May the God of all power, love, peace and understanding, bless you and keep you. God Bless.
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