For several years now I have used email and social networking to stay connected to family, friends and most importantly my church, when I was really sick, fighting for my life and often home bound. I am not sure what I would have done with out the assistance of technology when I was stuck in my home recovering some surgery, medical treatment, and Chemo and/or radiation treatment. It has been suggested to me several time to set up a blog or perhapse write a book so I can share what amazing things Jesus has, is and I believe will do in my life. So here it goes... (If you want a little back ground see my profile).
I cannot believe I am graduating in 1 day 13 hours and 30 minutes. Four years ago I was pretty much confined to a wheel chair, struggling to breathe, fighting not only the cancer that seemed to attack again and again, but the Lupus which made many simple task feel like my body was being beaten by a sledge hammer. My standard prayer at the time was ok Jesus if you are not going to heal me then please kill me. (take me home to be with you). Not only am out of the wheel chair I am graduating from Bethel College in Mishawaka, IN on Saturday April 30, 2011. Other the past two weeks as I have been completing course work, ordering and pickup my cap and gown and other activities directed towards tomorrow I would be caught off gaurd by the sudden wave of gratitude and tears of JOY. then in happened..... Yes I went to class and did the homework and after a Jonah and the Whale experience I was obiedent in God's call for me to return to school, however, tomorrow isnt really about me at all. It is about what God has accomplished in me, all of me, physically, emotionally and most of all spiritually. A couple of days ago I was doing my daily scripture reading and praying when the Holy Spirit lead me to Psalms 40:1-3; "I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. 2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. 3 He has put a new song in my mouth-Praise to our GOD; many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD." (NKJV) God heard my gut wrenching cries of pain and dispare each time I cried out, even those times when I felt like I was praying to the wall in my small apartment. Ok maybe my waiting wasnt so patiently in human terms but I never turned away for God and kept believing the God of the Bible is the same God I serve today, and what he did then he was able and willing to do for me in the 21st century.It was Jesus who reached down and grabbed ahold of me and pulled me out of the horrible pit I was stuck in. If was Him that became t he ROCK my feet were firmly planted on and HE who directed the path I would take to best fulfill HIS will for me. As I continue to Praise HIM and rejoice in how far I have come in 3 years and nine months. Through out my time at Bethel and in my day to day life I tell my story over and over and over again in the hope that someone will be touched and find their way to a personal saving relationship with Jesus. So on Saturday as I walk across the stage to get my Diploma (with Honors) my prayer is Jesus please allow my accomplishment to be the tool you use to bring all who do not believe in you to come to you in faith. Glory to God in the Higest for Great Things HE HATH DONE.
