8 Years Ago!

Have you ever gone through something that forever leaves a very vivid impression on you? I’m sure most of us have. This could be something good or something not so good.
This has actually happened to me twice.  Once in 1991, and again in 2011.  Let me explain.
I was diagnosed with a very serious condition called a “Tethered Spinal Cord”. The first time in 1991.   This was a matter of life and death. I had to have a very serious and complicated surgery. My spinal cord was stuck and encased in a tumor and scar tissue. Instead of floating freely in the spinal fluid it was pulled very taut.  In 1991 I had to travel 6 hours away.  There was no one locally who had performed the surgery.  And even then, the surgery had never been successful on an adult.  My choice was to leave it, become paralyzed, and face death sooner rather than later. Or have the surgery and hope I came out on top.
The power of prayer got me through that surgery. The doctor said it was a miracle I had a child and survived.  And it was a miracle I was still walking.  I still suffered from much nerve damage to many areas of my body. But I knew the Lord Jesus had more for me, and that included my husband and my son. I went into that surgery with “blind faith”. I trusted God to get me through that surgery.  I had no idea what was to come afterward.
After a few months of recuperating I went back to work, as a nurse.  I was so very thankful everyday for the miracles I had received. This brings us to 8 years ago.
My spinal cord was heavily damaged.  The doctors explained to me that the nerve damage and spinal cord damage would continue to progress. They could not tell me how quickly I would reach the point of not walking.  But, again, I had faith that God was watching over me.
Over the years I did notice the decline.  And more areas of my body were not functioning well.  I kept working. I truly enjoyed the work I did.  I was not willing to give in.  But eventually I had to stop. That was 2007.  I could no longer work as a nurse.  The nerve pain in my legs became excruciating.  I was losing more function of my legs. Then came 2011.
I received news that I could not believe. AGAIN! The spinal cord was once again tethered.  This time worse than the first. There was much more scar tissue and the tumor grew larger. By this time it was actually part of the spinal cord. I could not even think.  I looked at my husband and felt sick.
My choice was the same as in 1991. Except the surgery had become more widely familiar.  And at a closer hospital. Back to the OR I went. Once again surrounded in prayer. Others had the faith for me. They stood in the gap for me and interceded.
The surgery lasted several hours. And I do not remember much of the few days afterward.  This time the cord was encased from top to bottom in scar tissue. The nerve roots to my legs were entangled and encased like a baseball.  I was heavily sedated for a few days.
When I finally became more alert I was faced with the same scenario all over again. Would I walk again. I was determined. However I came home using a wheelchair and still in severe pain.  That neuralgia can be quite intense. But it kept getting worse. It was now 4 weeks from date of surgery.  The pain was severe. Then I began with a spinal headache. Back in the hospital I went. It was an obvious spinal fluid leak.
Back to the OR. It wasn’t just a leak.  The sac that houses the spinal cord and fluid had ruptured.  The nerve roots to my legs blew out through the hole. That explains the severity of the pain.  The surgeon had a difficult time repairing the sac. It had become very brittle over the years from the scar tissue. He could not suture it. He had to use a graft and glue it.  This set me back several weeks.
Eventually I came back home.  Little by little my legs improved enough that I can walk short distances.  That is victory to me.  I still battle pain and weakness.  And several issues with nerve damage to certain organs.  But I still have victory.  And I still have faith, hope, and trusting my Lord Jesus.
There is another part of this story of 8 years ago.  The leukemia was also discovered then. I was convinced they had the wrong patient.  However, they were correct.  Once again through the grace of God, and many praying people, I maintain my hope in Jesus.
Why did I feel the need to share all of this?  Because someone out there needs hope. Someone needs to know that our Lord will carry them through. We all face a tragedy in our lifetime. We all receive devastating news in our lifetime. And we all need help to get through those times. The help of our Lord Jesus. Jesus promises us, we will never walk alone. He is by our side, and He will carry us if so needed. I have been carried by Him many times.
At times our faith may be very little. That's okay.
Matthew 17:20  For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
You see, Jesus knows our limitations. He knows our weaknesses. That is why He is always with us. We never walk alone.
My friends, I share this with you to encourage you. Whatever you are facing, God will give you the strength to get through. He will give you the grace you need, and the faith you need to go on.  Your victory is waiting for you.  Don't give up.

You Are Loved! (2)

I have been praying for the words for my next blog post. But I kept going back to the last one. So I think I need to share it again. There must be someone who needs the encouragement.

You Are Loved!

Do you ever reflect on all that God has provided for us. This beautiful earth to live on. The animals and plants to provide food for us. Our homes, cars, jobs, and the list goes on endlessly. There are so many reasons to thank God for. It makes one sit back and wonder why we deserve all of this.
There is not anything we have done to deserve all that we have. But God has graciously provided everything we have because He loves us. Out of everything God has created,nothing measures up to us. He created us out of pure love. A love we cannot even comprehend the depth of.
And knowing this, we continue to destroy the beautiful earth He has created for us. We take for granted that we will always have what we have now. We cannot get along with one another. Constantly trying to outdo one another. Trying to prove we are better than the next. Countries at war. Even people in the same country fighting with one another. More and more we see the elected officials abusing the power entrusted to them. Passing laws to kill babies. Yet allowing convicted criminals to go free and receive more than the honest working person. They pass laws that try to keep us from praying or worshipping God. These officials are constantly trying to remove God from our lives.
I think of these things and wonder what God must think. He must be so disappointed with us.
Yet He never gives up on us. He never stops loving us. No matter how much we may have denied Him, or walked away from Him, He never closes the door and locks us out forever. As long as we are alive and breathing we still have a chance for redemption. God says repent, ask forgiveness, and He will welcome us with open arms. He loves us that much!
Romans 8:38  For I am persuaded that not even death or life,
angels or rulers,
things present or things to come, hostile powers,
39  height or depth, or any other created thing
will have the power to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Nothing can separate us from God's love. Nothing!
This is the promise of God to us, His children.  So the next time the enemy tries to convince you otherwise, stand tall and rebuke it in the name of Jesus. Because we have the promise of God.
Lately there has been a lot of use of the "rainbow" for reasons other than what God intended it for. God gave us the rainbow as a reminder of His covenant to us and His promises to us. This is what the rainbow means. And for me it will always be a reminder of how much God loves us.
Genesis 9:12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all future generations: 
13  I have placed My bow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 
14  Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the bow appears in the clouds, 
15  I will remember My covenant between Me and you and all the living creatures: water will never again become a flood to destroy every creature.
 16 The bow will be in the clouds, and I will look at it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all the living creatures on earth.” 
17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have confirmed between Me and every creature on earth.”
God loves us! Plain and simple. So much so that His only Son suffered and died on the cross for us. So that we can be redeemed and have that close and personal relationship with Him.
Faithful readers remember this. When you are facing trials and hardships, remember God's promises.
Remember that we never walk alone. He is always with us. He paves our way, clears our path, and walks with us always.
As you listen to this song, read the words. The promise the Lord has given us, He is always with us.
He loves you!

You Are Loved!

Do you ever reflect on all that God has provided for us. This beautiful earth to live on. The animals and plants to provide food for us. Our homes, cars, jobs, and the list goes on endlessly. There are so many reasons to thank God for. It makes one sit back and wonder why we deserve all of this.
There is not anything we have done to deserve all that we have. But God has graciously provided everything we have because He loves us. Out of everything God has created, nothing measures up to us. He created us out of pure love. A love we cannot even comprehend the depth of. 
And knowing this, we continue to destroy the beautiful earth He has created for us. We take for granted that we will always have what we have now. We cannot get along with one another. Constantly trying to outdo one another. Trying to prove we are better than the next. Countries at war. Even people in the same country fighting with one another. More and more we see the elected officials abusing the power entrusted to them. Passing laws to kill babies. Yet allowing convicted criminals to go free and receive more than the honest working person. They pass laws that try to keep us from praying or worshipping God. These officials are constantly trying to remove God from our lives.
I think of these things and wonder what God must think. He must be so disappointed with us.
Yet He never gives up on us. He never stops loving us. No matter how much we may have denied Him, or walked away from Him, He never closes the door and locks us out forever. As long as we are alive and breathing we still have a chance for redemption. God says repent, ask forgiveness, and He will welcome us with open arms. He loves us that much!
Romans 8:38  For I am persuaded that not even death or life,
angels or rulers,
things present or things to come, hostile powers,
39  height or depth, or any other created thing
will have the power to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Nothing can separate us from God's love. Nothing!
This is the promise of God to us, His children.  So the next time the enemy tries to convince you otherwise, stand tall and rebuke it in the name of Jesus. Because we have the promise of God.
Lately there has been a lot of use of the "rainbow" for reasons other than what God intended it for. God gave us the rainbow as a reminder of His covenant to us and His promises to us. This is what the rainbow means. And for me it will always be a reminder of how much God loves us.
Genesis 9:12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all future generations: 
13  I have placed My bow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 
14  Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the bow appears in the clouds, 
15  I will remember My covenant between Me and you and all the living creatures: water will never again become a flood to destroy every creature.
 16 The bow will be in the clouds, and I will look at it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all the living creatures on earth.” 
17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have confirmed between Me and every creature on earth.”
God loves us! Plain and simple. So much so that His only Son suffered and died on the cross for us. So that we can be redeemed and have that close and personal relationship with Him.
Faithful readers remember this. When you are facing trials and hardships, remember God's promises.
Remember that we never walk alone. He is always with us. He paves our way, clears our path, and walks with us always.
As you listen to this song, read the words. The promise the Lord has given us, He is always with us.
He loves you!