Today is a very special day for me. Not only is it the first day of a new year, but it is the day I celebrate as the start of my spiritual life, my Jesus birthday! It was 36 years ago today that I gave my life to the Lord. He changed the course of my life all of those years ago. I don't know where I would be today if it wasn't for Him. I love Him so much!
This is also the start of a special series of posts that I will be doing this month. I will be sharing several stories from my life that relate to my faith and my life as a caregiver for John Mark. I will also be introducing you to a special friend of mine who has written a book on parenting special needs kids.
There will also be several giveaways next week. Keep an eye out for them so you can be sure to enter and win some great gifts!
Below is a post I wrote to tell the story of the night that changed my life. It is my hope that you see how amazing the Lord is and learn how He reached out to me.
God bless!
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My father’s question changed the course of my life that first night of January, 1976. I lay in a hospital bed the night before surgery. I was 19 and had come home from college a few weeks earlier to see our family doctor about a lump I could feel and see on the left side of my neck. He recommended a surgeon who soon had me scheduled for the procedure.
As my parents were about to leave me for the night I was feeling afraid and anxious. The surgery was going to be a risky one, possibly leaving the left side of my face paralyzed. I was scared and so were they. That is what motivated my father to ask me a question he had never asked me before. He asked me if it was alright if we prayed and asked God to take care of me during the surgery.
That doesn’t sound like an odd request coming from a father who sent his daughter through 13 years of parochial school. But, praying together as a family at home was something we never did, except for saying grace at our meals.
I agreed, and as he prayed I was overcome with an incredible sense of my unworthiness. I thought ‘why would God want to help me when I had been doing so many bad things?’ My father didn’t know the things I was doing at college, but I realized that God did.
I kept these thoughts to myself when he finished his prayer. We hugged and they left for home. As I looked around my room I saw a crucifix on the wall across from my bed. I focused on that cross and said a prayer of my own to the Lord. I asked Him to forgive me for all of the wrong things I had been doing. I gave Him my life and told Him that He could do whatever He wanted with it. And, of course, I asked Him to take care of me during my surgery.
This prayer that I now know to be the ‘sinner’s prayer’ was totally motivated by the conviction of the Holy Spirit in my heart. I had never been told about this prayer before. It was God working in me to bring me to salvation. My heavenly Father was reaching out to me through my earthly father.
When I said yes to my father’s prayer I was given the chance to answer a question of even greater importance that God Himself was asking me. “Would I give my life to Him and trust Jesus as my Savior?”
Saying yes to both my earthly father and Heavenly Father changed the course of my life that night. I am eternally blessed to have had the opportunity to answer both of their questions.
4 comments:
Connie,
Thank you for sharing that story I didn't know it. All I know is that I am so lucky to have you as a sister, you have never judged me for who I am or what things I have done wrong in my life, I know when I need advice or someone to talk to you are the one I turn to for support and I love just hanging out with, you are my best friend, I love your whole family and Gia of course. You are a role model for me, I want to live a positive and truthful life, you are all these things and so much more.... I love you with my whole heart and soul. xoxo Do
This is an amazing story Connie, one I was not aware of either. How did you feel when you weren't so scared, post surgery? Just wondering ... Thank you for sharing, you are very inspirational!! I hope 2012 is a great year for all of you, we love you very much! Thank you for always being there for me and my family!! xo
Connie your insight and wisdom continues to inspire me. Many people can relate to being in a situation where they "Make a Deal" with God: "Oh please God if you will only ........ I promise I will....." The difference is that you followed through on your end of the deal.....most of us are not strong enough to do that. Strength is one of the first words that comes to mind when I think of you. Your strength has allowed you to let go and instead let God. What a peaceful feeling that is. I have had many moments in my life that have challenged my faith, but once I realized (after a heartfelt conversation with another "Mom" at a certain dining room table in Itasca) that God answers our prayers....it just might not be the answer we wanted. We have to trust Him and not fight against Him because He is Always fighting FOR us. I admire you and I am blessed to know you. I look forward to more "Connie Wisdom" in 2012!!
Thank you Connie for sharing this with us...thank you for doing all you can to "encourage one another daily"...and I am encouraged....I needed that today!
Cathy
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