“For I can do everything
through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Philippians
4:13 (New Living Translation)
This is my life’s journey.
Beginning at age six through age fifty-five, I suffered from Spinal Meningitis, Polycystic Ovarian Disease, Hepatitis A, B and C, Endometriosis, Uterine and Cervical Cancer, Breast Cancer, broken legs, wrist and hip and knee replacement, Degenerative Disc Disease, Diabetes and Scoliosis of the Spine. I lost both parents in an auto accident, and my baby sister died at age fifty-one from heart failure, and I had three failed marriages.
So, I never ask—what’s next?
It was my second bout with cancer and my sister’s death that really sent me into a tailspin. I went into deep depression. After my sister’s death, the depression and pain were just too much, and I turned to substances to ease the pain resulting in a further downward spiral.
On August 8, 2012, a miracle happened. I went to the ER—another failed self-attempt to stop the addictions. But this time, I prayed to God from the bottom of my heart. I surrendered my all to God. I prayed for God to remove my self-will and replace it with his will.
At that moment, my heart palpitated and I was filled with joy. The grief and anger were lifted, replaced with gratitude. My mind was still and I was filled with peace and serenity. The pain throughout my body began to disappear. From that moment on, I have not needed any mind-altering chemical to dull the pain, or a walker. It was all gone!
I felt warmth, as if a big mother bird had wrapped its wings around me. Later, my husband, Jack, surmised that was really an angel embracing me. From that moment on I felt back at home with God.
Today my faith is stronger than ever, and I know the power of prayer, and the continued support of the St. John’s congregation healed me.
That walker that I lived on for four years now hangs on the wall in our garage—waiting for the right time to pay it forward to another sufferer.
I am back volunteering at several places in the area including the Children’s Museum and Hazelden.
I am convinced that there is nothing I cannot accomplish.
The prayers from the members of St. John’s helped me keep my head above water until I could swim back to God and surrender my life completely to him.
Life for me is now GRAND!
Thank you to my St. John’s family for all your prayers and support. They really, truly worked. Tona R. Wert