God Gives Grace has always been one of my favorite songs. Growing up with a dad (Stephen Ray Nichols) who has Lyme disease. I remember my dad being bedridden and in a wheelchair week after week, struggling to get to the pulpit to preach. Meanwhile, my mom was running our Christian School and also trying to hold our family together.
One time in particular, the doctors told my mom that my dad wasn’t going to make it. My mom then sat us four kids down and explained to us that Dad was most likely going to die. With tears in her eyes, I remember her saying, “No matter what, we are going to keep living for Jesus.”
I remember begging God many times to heal my dad. Although God’s will has not been to give my dad complete healing from Lyme disease, God has truly given grace to our family in the midst of every trial. Just recently, my dad suffered a severe stroke, and God miraculously brought him through with 95% recovery within 3 days! It’s been amazing to see God’s grace shine through the trials he has allowed in our family.
Justin Nichols
Youth Pastor
Regency Baptist Church
Loomis, CA