Why Faith Matters In My Family

The word of God tells us in Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. We are trusting in something that we cannot prove. We cannot physically see God but we know he’s there and he’s working behind the scenes in our lives and in this world to carry out His will. Faith Matters!

I wasn’t supposed to live

Back in April of 2011 when I contracted a flesh-eating bacteria, within 24 hours I was put into a medically induced coma and many doctors told my husband, Mike to prepare himself for the fact that I was going to die. They said there was a very little chance of my survival.

My family belongs to a Landmark Missionary Baptist Church. We study the Bible and we believe every word in that book is inspired by God. We trust that God is working in our lives. Now, don’t get me wrong, we aren’t perfect. We are sinners, saved through faith and by Gods wonderful grace. Sometimes our faith wavers.

Faith Matters!

However, when those doctors told Mike that my life was almost over, he never wavered. Mike believed without a shadow of a doubt that this situation I was in, this coma, was temporary and that I was going to live with him and love with him for a good long time. That’s faith, my friends!

Mike was praying, my kids were praying, our church was praying and those prayers spread all over this country and God answered those prayers. I came out of that coma. Of course, our life was changed forever because in order to save my life the doctors needed to amputate both of my hands and both of my feet. Life would never be the same. However, Mike and our kids and friends all over the country did the happy dance because Mike was ” getting his Wendy back!”

How would I manage with this new normal?

It took a long time to figure things out when I came home from the hospital and rehab facilities three long months later. During my time at the hospital I prayed, I cried and I prayed some more. How was I going to manage with a body like this? God gave me strength. He got me through the pain. In fact, He still does.

Through all the ups and downs of learning to walk on prosthetic legs and figuring out how to feed myself, and manage personal things like using the restroom, driving a car and caring for my family, the Lord was right there with me, guiding me, all of us, strengthening us. There is no way on this earth we would have been able to get through all of this without faith that the Lord was right there with us. Faith matters!

Did I sometimes wonder why we had to go through this fire? When I was having immense pain or when I was frustrated because I didn’t have hands to take care of myself and I needed others to do even the simplest things for me, did I get angry and cry myself to sleep? Absolutely! However, I got mad at the situation, never at God. He used this experience to bring my family and I and so many others closer to him. Romans 8:28 tells us “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose”.

I know there are many who don’t understand why bad things have to happen to good people. This is where you really need that faith. God has a plan and a purpose for each situation. I may never know that purpose for why I got sick and have to live the rest of my life as a quad amputee. However, what I do know is that I have been able to inspire others when they are hurting or scared. I pray that by overcoming and committing to praising God that my life can be an example to others.

Many times I have heard the statement, “sometimes when I’m feeling sorry for myself, I think of you and I don’t feel so bad”. Now that is a horrible thing to say to somebody if you take it in the wrong way. However, I was put here to serve and if I can help someone feel better, I am thankful for that.

Our faith gets us through each hour of each day. When I can’t figure out how to do something, I pray for guidance. The answer soon follows. When I’m scared or hurting (because let me tell you that losing your limbs is no cake walk-see How Phantom Pain Can Ruin Your Day) I pray for help. The Lord gives me comfort. A personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is the most precious relationship you can have. He is right there at the head of our family. If you want more information on how you can have that relationship with the Lord, please reach out to me. Let me show you how.

I think my favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6 and it has been spoken hundreds of times over the last 7 years. It’s my go-to verse for every situation. It says “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”. That sums it up. This is why faith matters.

If you would like to carry on the conversation, please share how faith matters in your family.  I would love for you to reach out to me over on my One Exceptional Life Facebook page.