In November, we’re reminded to be thankful. If I asked you to list what you’re most thankful for, our lists would probably be similar. Family may be first, perhaps followed by appreciation for good health, our home, a job we enjoy, and more. Today as I reflect on my past mistakes, stumbles, and faltering of faith, I recognize I’m REALLY thankful for grace.

I’m currently reading a recently published book by Bob Page, God Is Still for You.* Chaplain Page, a retired Air Force brigadier general, has penned a compelling book about his decades long experiences as a military chaplain.

Thankful for Grace

While each page of his book drew me into Page’s life and work of service, one amazing story brought back memories of my own experience of God’s grace. Page writes of a chance meeting between two unlikely comrades in arms, a sergeant and an officer, brought together in a worship service.

The sergeant was in a dark place, carrying a heavy load of baggage, his marriage in trouble, as he tumbled into more sinful habits. At a base in Saudi Arabia, on his way back to his barracks after work, he came upon Hope Chapel and followed a crowd into the building. The Gospel Explosion was in progress and the airman sat down to enjoy the music.

But everything changed when a young man approached the microphone and talked about the grace of God. For the first time, this sergeant heard about how Jesus died on the cross for all sins–his sins, too. He learned he could be forgiven and granted a fresh start. When the call came, he stepped out and knelt at the front with others.

An officer was there that night. He felt a nudge he’d never experienced before, God telling him to go pray with the soldier who’d gone to the altar. Later the repentant sergeant told Chaplain Page about what he experienced that night.

“Chaplain, when I opened my eyes, I saw something that changed everything.” (Page, p. 106)*

What the soldier had seen when he opened his eyes were tears, tears falling on the floor from the man who knelt and prayed for him. The sergeant’s defenses crumbled and he accepted God’s forgiveness and restoration.

He accepted the gift of grace.

Perhaps you’ve been thankful for the gift of grace, as well. Years ago, after I fell into a pit of sin, God surrounded me with a group of loving and godly women who shed tears of joy as I crawled from the pit into the compassionate arms of my Savior.

This story made me think of God’s joy when a sinner accepts the gift of grace. Perhaps, like this officer who led a sinner to grace, our Savior weeps with happiness when we accept His gift.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generation. (Psalm 100)

Wishing you a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving, my friends.

*Bob Page. (2025). God Is Still for You: Ten Reasons You Can Be Sure Even when Life Is Hard, Kregel Publications.

P.S. This book will be part of a future giveaway. I highly recommend it as a gift for yourself or others this holiday season.