Hopeless to Beautiful

"Every time I see you, my heart just goes out to you."

Those were the words that escaped the lips of a sweet and well-meaning lady i met at a district conference. She was clearly referring to the opal-blue wheelchair in which i was sitting. She meant no harm yet i could not help but cringe as I deciphered the deep hopelessness in her eyes. The truth was I did not feel hopeless; God had done some incredible things in the last twenty-seven years of my life. Although this dear lady had seem me many times, she did not really know me. She did not know my story.

Twenty-four years ago on a festive Christmas Eve afternoon, my three-year old body was struck down by a white pickup truck. the driver, my fifteen-year old uncle, was unaware that I was playing in my grandmother's backyard behind him. In a moment, my life was changed, never to be as it once was. The accident caused permanent damage to my spinal cord, and my family was told I would never walk again.

Fortunately for my family and me, this was not the end of the story. God used this tragedy as a vehicle to cause my parents to turn to the Bible for comfort. They had both been raised in a denominational church but felt there had to be something more than they had experienced. After weeks of Bible studies, my parents went to church, were baptized in Jesus' name, and received the Holy Ghost! Later, my two brothers and I had the same experience as well and came into a relationship with Jesus.

Sine the accident, the Lord has taken me on a winding journey. I have undergone several surgeries and many physical challenges. through it all, God has been there as my comfort, holding my hand and never letting go. I know God is able to heal me, yet so far He has chosen not to remove the "thorn from my flesh." I have determined to be content with my circumstance and do the best I can with what God has given me.

Despite my physical limitations, the Lord has prospered my life with talents to use for His glory. i am extremely blessed. I drive a sports car, I have attended a university and Bible College, I have traveled across the United States as well as overseas, and I sing and play the piano. God also laid it upon my heart to write about my life and so a few years ago I wrote my first book Famous In Battle. While I was attending Bible college, God opened up many doors for me to give my testimony and minister to the hurting and the broken. I found it a privilege to be used of God.

If it were not for God's love and mercy, I do not know what would have become of me. I am thankful He turned my hopeless situation into something beautiful for His kingdom. and I know that the best is yet to come!


*This article appeared in the March/April issue of Reflections Magazine.