Grace Upon Grace

Grace Upon Grace

More Musings on... Thirty-Seven Years of Sobriety
by Grant Christensen September 16, 2020

Today I celebrate thirty-seven years of sobriety. Last night, Nancy and I watched “When Love is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story,” a movie based on the true-life story of Lois and Bill Wilson, founders of Al Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous, respectively. The film was challenging to watch, in part because the falling-down, stupid drunk, Bill Wilson, was also me—as it mirrors so many others who have been entrapped in addictions. I am thankful that Nancy met me after those years, that my wife and daughters never had to experience me in that state. I was a violent drunk—but because I weighed only one-hundred and twelve pounds, I frequently awoke beat up, with black eyes, bruises on my face, and lumps on my head. I had no one to blame but myself.. A week ago, Nancy and I traveled to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, a building located across the street from the curb where—blacked-out in a violent drunk—I sustained a severe head injury when I fell and hit my head against the curb. I had five bleeds in my brain, one of which was in my Broca’s area—the speech center—which left me unable to speak. Every time I see that curb, I am reminded of God’s extravagant and wasteful-to-a-fault grace, which has sustained my life ever since. While lying in the hospital, Jesus beckoned me to come home to the home which is in Him. I have been at home in Jesus and He in me, day by day, moment by moment, a life lived out in his immeasurable love—whether I was aware of it or not.
	I am grateful to my wife, Nancy, who thirty-four years ago said “yes” to me even though I was just a few years into my sobriety. I have lived in her grace as well all these years! I am grateful for our daughters, who have loved me despite my quirks, sins, and faults! I give thanks for my Mom and Dad who welcomed me into their home despite having spent thousands of dollars of their money on drugs and alcohol. I am thankful for the church, which I have the continued honor and privilege to serve, who have grown continually along with me in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am grateful for new friends overseas, serving in Iraq, who join us each week! These days, the eternal hope that we have in the good news of Jesus has become crystalline. The words of Galatians 2:20 give me the means to face each day, to know that the Grant shown in these accompanying pictures is long dead and gone, crucified with Christ! It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me! And the life I now live in this flesh—corruption and all—I live by trusting the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I am a brand-new creation in Christ!
In these days, the Promise of Life, found in John 5:24, gives me the eternal hope that—come what may—Jesus has destined me to live with Him forever. I hope to see you there!. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24 (RSV)

© 2022 by Grant Christensen. "Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8b NIV) You are free to share--copy and redistribute in any medium or format--as long as you don't change the content and don't use commercially without permission of the author or author's family.