On June 7, 2002, we lost our 19-year-old son in a car accident.
The Bible says that we comfort those with the comfort we have been given. We were so thankful for others in our church that had lost a child. If not for them, I don’t know if we would have coped as well as we did. Other people around us shied away like we had something contagious. Still, others thought we should “get over it” in a month or two Chaos in my life started when my son’s ex-girlfriend told us she was seven months pregnant with his baby. She didn’t want to keep the baby and wanted to put him up for adoption. We told her we wanted the baby, but she refused. We tried everything we could to gain custody but couldn’t without her permission. Then, to save her and her family from embarrassment, she started telling lies about my son and our family. It was devastating to know I would have a grandchild whose life I would not be part of and then to hear all the lies and rumors about my son and our family.
I met my late husband while working at Bass Pro. We got to talking and then started dating. At first, things were going well, but the longer we were together the worse the relationship became. It put a strain on both myself and my immediate family. I pulled away from God and church. I moved to Texas for a few months because of both work and him and then ended up getting pregnant before we got married. During much of this time God felt far away, but there were times He would seem close. I would pray for things to get better. My late husband always told me I could go to church, but I always felt like he should go with me so I didn't end up going. Once he passed away, I started going back to church and had many family and friends help me through it. Along with God's help and the help of all who surrounded me I am where I am today. I would tell others in situations like mine that they need to pray about the relationship and see if that is who God wants in your life. Even though it wasn't the greatest relationship, I ended with a wonderful son. I am so proud of the young man he is becoming. God brought about good in spite of the chaos. He is My Help Scripture tells us in Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV), "I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." We often face challenges that seem insurmountable, and at times, we may feel overwhelmed by the weight of our circumstances. Yet, this passage reminds us that our help doesn't come from our own strength or the world around us; our help comes from the Lord. It's natural to look for solutions in human efforts or to seek refuge in relationships or in material possessions, but the psalmist reminds us to lift our eyes higher, beyond the temporal and fleeting. Our help is found in the Creator of the universe, the One who has power over all things. When we apply this truth, we gain a newfound perspective on our challenges. Instead of relying solely on our limited abilities, we can turn to the One who knows all and can do all. In times of uncertainty, we find reassurance in Isaiah 41:10 (NIV): "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." We are not alone in our struggles; the Almighty God is with us, providing the strength and assistance we need. Furthermore, Psalm 46:1 (NIV) declares, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." This verse reminds us that God is not distant; He is near, ready to guide us through every storm. His presence is a shelter, and His strength empowers us to endure and overcome. God’s truth is "My help comes from the Lord" serves as an anchor for our faith. As we face challenges, let's remember that we are not left to fend for ourselves. We have a loving and powerful Helper who is always ready to come to our aid. Let's lift our eyes above our circumstances and place our trust in the One who has unfailing wisdom, strength, and love. Through Him, we find the courage to press on and the assurance that we are never alone on this journey of life. Chaos entered my life unexpectedly through a 20-year friendship that went awry. Hurts of this magnitude cut deeply and bring great pain. It was tough for the closest people in my life to see me struggle. It put a strain on my family because I was so distant, depressed, and anxious. In the long run, it did draw me closer to my wife.
In 2009, at a routine pregnancy check-up in Tuscumbia, AL, our OB nurse practitioner told us she was sending us to a surgeon to check out a lump that she found on my wife. We asked, “When?”. She told us she was sending us right then. It's amazing how God works because the surgeon that she sent us to was a very godly man from our church. After a brief examination, he said, “I think it's cancer”. He prayed with us and encouraged us. After another test in the hospital a few days later, it was confirmed that Deidre had breast cancer. We were totally devastated because she was pregnant with our youngest child, Silas.
I lived in Texas until I was around 13. We were in church Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, and Wednesday nights. I remember going to church camp and walking down the aisle to accept Christ as my Savior. I don’t remember what age I was. I must've been around 11. At 13, however, my life changed when my dad died of cancer. My dad meant everything to me. A year later, my mother thought it would be best to move to Michigan where her family lived.
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He is our PEACE. {Stephanie Forbes' Story} He is our REFUGE. {Jan Owen's Story} He is our PROVIDER {Darrell Bryant Story} He is our COMPASSION {Carol Bryant's Story} He is ABLE. {Sandee DePriest's Story} He is GOOD {Ashton Rost's Story} He is PRESENT while we wait. {Anonymous} He is our SOURCE OF STRENGTH. {Bruce Helsley's Story} He is our STRONG TOWER. {Adisyn Gray's Story} He is our LIGHT. {Gage Miers' Story} He is our WAYMAKER {Ashlee Miers' Story} He is our ALPAH and OMEGA. {Don & Barb Calton's Story} He is CARING. {Anonymous} He is WITH ME. {Robbie Tackett's Story} He is my DELIVER. {Julie Long's Story} He is TRUSTWORTHY. {Rob Schad} He is My REDEEMER. {Chris Wilson} He is My HELP. (Angela Maddox} He is SOVEREIGN {Anonymous} He is our SHEPHERD Jerry & Pat Capps He is our SALVATION Carol Kolander He is our SUFFERING SERVANT Nolan Snider He is my ALL IN ALL Toni Lorenz He is our REST. Anonymous He is Our Mediator. {Anonymous} |