When There is Nowhere Left to Turn for Help, What Do You Do?

Leaving the hospital that Sunday afternoon, I was thrilled that Peter was healed and that I was obedient when God asked me to pray for him. It would have been much easier to walk away. Would God have punished me for that? Of course not! But...I would have never witnessed the second miracle in this story. 

When I prayed for Peter, I quoted the scripture that God will ‘give life to our mortal bodies.’ This is His promise. I did not pray for healing because Peter was almost dead and needed life only God could give. 

Throughout the week following my visit with Peter, I reflected on what happened in that hospital room and prayed: “Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the opportunity to pray for Peter and allowing me to be a part of this miracle.” 

Does that mean God would not have healed him if I had not been there? Perhaps. Does it mean I had to be the one who prayed? Maybe. But God always has a plan. God knows how we are going to respond when He asks us to do something. God knows how He is going to bless us when we step out of our comfort zone to do what He asks even when we face difficulties of our own. 

The week after the miracle, life spiraled downward for me. My husband’s job search rendered no results and we sank deeper into debt each day.   

 

One dark, rainy November evening our twenty-year-old car stopped dead on the highway. I put the hood up, sat in my car, and wept. No one stopped to help. I felt so alone. Clayton’s job search took him out of town. Christmas approached, but we had no money to buy gifts for the kids. And definitely, no money to fix the car.

 

During my pity party, I sensed God’s rebuke. Gently, yet firmly, He spoke to my heart, “If I can heal Peter, why would you entertain the thought I can’t take care of you?” 

Wow! That hit hard. Many times, we have faith for others but when it comes to our own lives, we fail miserably.

No phone. No flashlight. I had no choice but to walk in the blackness in search of a service station.

Rain poured, but I kept my pace over rocks and dirt. Finally, at the top of the exit ramp, I saw a gas station. 

Nearly in tears and out of breath, I reached the station. “Can you please help me? My car broke down on the highway. I didn’t run out of gas; it just stopped dead but I managed to get it off the road and onto the shoulder.” 

The young attendant nodded and smiled at me, “Ma’am, I’ll call a tow truck for you, but you’ll have to be in your vehicle when it arrives.” 

If tears had fallen on my cheeks, they would have blended with the rain dripping from my hair. But I stayed calm and thanked him; walking down the hill would be easier and faster. 

I arrived at my car chilled and frightened but then I remembered God’s words to me. I didn’t understand it but knew God was going to take care of me. He promises in Romans 8:28 all things work together for our good. Not some things; but all things. I chose to trust that Word and stay focused.

Does God have His own clock?

Clayton and I lived on a peninsula requiring a ferry trip to and from the city. The last ferry of the day was 9:30 PM. It was now 8:00 PM but God was fully aware of what time it was. He also knew I would not have any place to stay if I could not get home that evening. There was no way I could contact Clayton and he didn’t know my dilemma.

“Heavenly Father, I know nothing surprised you tonight. I know you orchestrate my life. I know you love me and will take care of me. I choose to believe that everything will work out better than I could imagine. For these things I thank you.” 

Praying those words out loud in my car gave me the strength I needed. 

The tow truck arrived and I rode with the driver to the nearest full-service station. I expected the mechanic to have a solution but he shrugged his shoulders. 

“Sorry, Ma’am, we’re about to close. I’ll have someone look at it tomorrow.” 

“Tomorrow? Do you have any idea what could be the problem?” I pleaded for even a hint of reassurance. 

“Sorry, I can’t even guess until I have a look.” 

The tow truck driver asked me if I needed a lift to the ferry. “It’s right on my way. I’d be happy to drive you there.” 

I wanted to hug him but instead, I signed relief and gave him a big smile. “Thank you.”

Where will I get the money for the cab drive home? How am I going to pay the mechanic? No money for food or essentials...and now this!

Part two of this story will make you shout "Hallelujah" as well as encourage you that God knows what you need and when you need it. 

Are You Uncomfortable and Not Sure How to Act When You See A Disabled Person?

When Kristin Beale was a teenager, a Jet ski accident left her paralyzed from the naval down. Her determination to disapprove the diagnosis was only the beginning of a new life for Kristin. 

Kristin is the author of three books, a nine-time marathon finisher, and a nationally competing wheelchair fencer. She is the creator of a weekly comic on Instagram.

Her book, Date Me, is in the process of becoming a TV series. You won't want to miss that!

In her interview, Kristin will motivate you to never give up, soar to places you were told you could not go, and have fun while doing it.

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Date Me is a collection of comics that tells stories of dating in a wheelchair, social situations sculpted by people’s response to a wheelchair, and the struggle of trying to fit in from a different perspective. Dating is hard enough as an able-bodied person. Throw in the variable of a wheelchair and the “hard” becomes “almost not worth it.” 

Kristin Beale shares stories of her crazy family, the unique and often lousy ways people interact with her because of her disability, and her often failed attempts at dating in a wheelchair with a strained, but ongoing determination not to give up. 

Relatable for many people who have dated in the 21st century, Date Me offers a different perspective from a wheelchair user and how to interact with them. 

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 A true story of disability and determination: “From flat-line to sunshine, this story takes you on an unbelievably heart-crossing journey.” —Scott Pettit, Double Take

 
At age fourteen, Kristin Beale was enjoying a happy summer vacation when a Jet-Ski accident turned her life upside-down—and nearly ended it. Ever since then, she has had to struggle to overcome not only the physical but the psychological toll of her injuries—and her grit and courage have been an inspiration to countless people.
 
In Greater Things, Kristin offers a raw perspective on everything from how people react to her, to learning how to navigate in and through an inaccessible world, to just trying to make the best of a crummy situation. Filled with honesty, humor, and hope, it’s a realistic yet ultimately uplifting portrait of what it takes to endure hardship with your spirit intact.

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A Million Suns is a continuation, of sorts, of Greater Things. These stories tell of my journey to find the passion that I lost with paralysis. That looks like: trying every adaptive sport, modeling, traveling the world and, eventually, meeting a man whom I love. This one is a lot of fun and I'm excited to share with you!

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How Do You Help Someone Who has a Substance Abuse Problem?

Most of us have known someone whose life has been affected by a form of substance abuse. In Brad’s interview he shares true life stories of people who have suffered through the dark trenches of addiction and emerge victorious.

Brad Duncan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Radiography and works at the Baptist Health Hospital. He is the author of eight books.

At a visitation for a 21-year-old family member who passed away from a drug overdose, Brad's life and mission changed forever. He felt inspired to share stories of hope and began interviewing people from a variety of ages, races, genders, and social statuses who had gone through addiction, overcame it and are now living abundant lives.

During his interview, Brad shares several stories of people who have turned their lives around, including the most wanted man in California: 

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Colors of Salvation: Substance Abuse shares the true life stories of people who have suffered through the dark trenches of addiction and have emerged victorious. A variety of people of all ages, races, genders, and social statuses share their remarkable journey of transformation, going from hopelessness and captivity, to freedom and victory! As a way to join the fight against addiction, at least one dollar from every book sold will go directly to a recovery ministry.

 CONNECT WITH BRAD HERE:

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Are You Brave Enough to Pray for Someone Who is Dying and Expect a Miracle?

One Sunday morning when my children were young, we were getting ready for Sunday School. I had a strong sense we were to attend a different church that day.  I recognized the prompting by God and was eager to find out what He had planned.

“Mom, why aren’t we going to my Sunday school today?” my eight-year-old asked from the back seat.

 "You'll see, honey." I responded. 

How do I explain a prompting to a child? I decided to wait before answering him. I had learned to obey my inner voice, trusting that in time, God would reveal the reason why. It would be a great lesson to teach my children.

With God, it is never too late

That morning, the pastor announced that their youth leader, Peter, had suffered an unbearable stomach ache a few weeks earlier. It was determined he had a plugged bile duct and emergency surgery had been performed. But it was too late. Peter was full of cancer and beyond any medical help or the possibility of recovery. The prognosis was he would survive only a few days. Peter was 32 years old with a small child and another baby on the way.

The Doctor's Diagnosis Terrified me: Go Home Suffer and Die

The diagnosis lingered over me along with the doctor's crude words blaring in my ear when I refused treatment: "Lady, go home suffer and die!"

Three weeks after my doctor’s visit, a neighbor called. She knew I had been very ill and wondered if I would be interested in attending a food supplement demonstration in her home. It did not interest me in the least, but, as a good neighbor, I agreed to attend. 

The first part of this story and the doctor's diagnosis is found here.

That evening became the turning point. It changed the way I thought about food and convinced me I needed to supplement my diet to improve my health. It was the answer I had been searching for. God had orchestrated this event.  

I had always assumed we received any nutrition we needed from our food. At the meeting, I learned how our food is processed and how our soil is depleted of nutrients. I began taking courses on nutrition and learned the importance of destroying the toxins in my home, especially from household cleaners. 

Although that meeting changed my lifestyle I wondered if it would be enough to destroy cancer?