Except for the Grace of God

Except for the grace of God I would I would not be here

Except for the grace of God all joy would flee.

For every good thing is held safe by Godís own staff and rod

And I would be lost nowÝ except for the grace of God

Except for the grace of God I would be wandering

To join the swarm of death along the road

But Iíll lie down in green pastures, sink my roots in holy sod

I am held fast there by the good,Ý good, grace of God.

Except for the grace of God I could not think straight

For flights of fancy clutter up my mind

And the very fact that I am sane would be so very odd

I would go crazy except for the grace of God

For all that Iíve been spared from in this place

For every circumstance I have not faced,

Deliverance and mercy my terrors all replace

And bring me joy instead by your good grace

For by the grace of God I now am living

And by the grace of God one day Iíll die

Iíll stand before those pearly gates and receive heavenís nod

I could do nothing except for the grace of God.

Anthony Foster

September 27, 2005