Storms with Lightening

[Pamela]

Everyone of us goes through storms in life. Jesus told his followers that we would indeed face tribulation. Storms can be illness, or financial, depression, divorce, even the loss of a loved one. It can take all you have had, and change it. It can bankrupt you, or take away your self esteem. I had thought that I had weathered many storms in my life from childhood to adult. I had worked hard, raising a family, loving God, and using my opportunity at work to share my faith. Then lightening struck, and my life as I had known it changed. The job I had worked so hard for gone, our savings with it. Brain damage, eye, and ear damage, spine damage, torn lungs, a pierced heart, and e disrupted nervous system. I had people ask me, if I had sinned against God. The many doctors, and hospitals took our savings, and yet I was not dead. God had put his hand between me, and certain death. I was uprooted, and felt useless as simple thoughts struggled to form words. I read C. S. Lewis book. on why God allows suffering, and knew it was not my attention he was after, but what I did with this storm. I knew I had been blessed, and saved to uplift others, I had never been deaf, or had such pain. My retinas were burned, and any light gave way to severe pain, and headaches. He walked with me, and held my hand. I could not imagine what outreach I could have from home suffering seizures, and narcolepsy. I can honestly say I never blamed God. I just felt adrift held back by disabilities. I just kept searching, and praying, and God led me to my next phase in life. Who better to help the elderly who were alone, or in pain, or facing tests, and needed a friend who understood. It did not come at once, and seven years were spent basically home bound, and in putting me back in better working order. The last twelve though have been blessed with Christian ladies that are older, and needed to get out, and spend a lunch with others who like them were struggling in some way. All I do is organize, and someone takes me, and then I just love Them, listen, and pray. That is what God did for me. He blessed me with empathy instead of a daily job in the medical field. Hearing aids were developed after four yrs. that allow me to hear again, and with each step back in health, he drags me forward. My storm was silent, no rain, no warning, and all electrical. Do I wish it never happened? I do at times when I see how it has changed the dynamics of our family, and lives. Yet, I am so blessed to wake each day, and know God hold my life in his hands. I feared I would be useless, but everyone has something to share. I am thankful for every nurse, and doctor, and minister, and prayer that has come my way. I am telling this because I am here. Almost every organ has been affected, my circulatory system, my all. I stand today, and will gladly pray, or listen about your storms, and help all I can. It is not a fancy position, but it is an important one. I never walk alone, and neither do you. Share and I know others will be there to help you along. You can count on me too. It may not seem like much, but it is heartfelt, and blessed...pam

[Werner]

Thanks for sharing this, Pamela!

[Janelle]

Thanks for sharing, Pamela. What you have experienced is awful, but I'm glad to hear that God has walked through it all with you.

[Pamela]

He has and does daily. I should have died and I'm still here praising his name. Thankful for each day. I want to pass it on and pray for anyone else facing a storm