Part 2

January 31st, 2010

Here is where once again, my life changed in just one day!



We went to the Rockford Rescue Mission. One of the small groups from our church organized an evening where our church provided sack lunches and a short service for the homeless or for those who just needed a meal. I was so tired. I was hesitant to go, but I knew I needed to. Tim (my husband) and I had agreed to do the praise and worship.



I took a nap that afternoon, hoping my legs would revive. I woke up moving slower than before and needed my cane to head over to the church. I was moving so poorly my father in law, who was babysitting, would not let me walk to the church alone, even with my cane. I was a struggle to make it there but as soon as I walked in the door, cane and all, I was glad to be there.



The kitchen was busy with ladies getting the sack lunches in order. We set up for praise and worship and were going to warm up, but the guys (along with a couple women and children) just started filing in. Tim, Joanie, Tammy and I just started singing through the praise book we had brought. We had an amazing time. We had many of the guys singing along, some even doing hand motions with us.



After praise and worship, Tim shared his testimony. It is so powerful, it always makes me cry. Then Ralph shared the gospel message loud and clear from the scripture. " Jesus answered: I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the father accept through me." John 14:6

After service Joanie and I had the opportunity to talk with a man named Mike who was in the life recovery program. He was 2 weeks into a 9 month program designed to help overcome addiction. The best i can explain it was that Mike was now off the drugs and had become addicted to Jesus. He was so eager to learn all that he could, he told us he goes to 5 bible studies a week and 2 worship services. It did my heart so much good to see his enthusiasm. We were able to pray for him, and encourage him, although he encouraged us too!



When I got my sack lunch, I wasn't sure where to sit. I kinda wanted to head over to the woman I saw with children, but i saw there was already someone from my church there. And that was way on the other side of the auditorium. I had put my cane down and really wasn't up for going far. There at the 1st table, a cute Hispanic young man waving at me. He may have been 20, he seemed very young. I sat down and found out his name was Pedro. He had travelled all the way from NYC following a girl. He had no job, no money. He had been at the shelter since November, I believe. He stayed close by the table after he ate and I got up to talk with him. Pedro shared of deep hurts from his past. I asked him what he struggled with. He pulled up his sleeve to reveal layers upon layers of scar tissue. Pedro was a cutter. He did not know how to handle the pain, so he tried to manage it on his own. I shared with him about Jesus and his great love. I shared hat he did not need to try handle it on his own. He decided he wanted to pray right then and there to ask Jesus into his heart! God is so good! I was so blessed to able to be there. I thought, wow! Thank you Lord! This is why I was here.

l I was able to talk with another gentleman in the life recovery program. He thanked us for coming and said the presence of the Holy Spirit was overwhelming in this place. He said you know Satan tries to stop it, but when you have a group so filled with the Spirit, Satan doesn't stand a chance.

As everyone was getting ready to leave, I was standing talking with Melissa when I was approached by a very tall man. He stood at least a head over me, with a thick black jacket on and a black stocking cap. He smiled at me and he had no front teeth. I was thinking if I was out on the street i would be intimidated by his overwhelming stature.

He said to me "I have a message from the Lord for you." I was taken a back... "OK." I said. He said "The Holy Spirit has laid this heavy on my heart, and I did not know who it was for...but the Lord lead me to you." He continued "You do not have to be afraid anymore." I started to cry.. "The Lord has laid all of these great things on your heart, and you have all these ideas bouncing around in your head, but you are afraid to step out. You are called to much bigger venues, but you are afraid." I could only get out "But my health.." through my tears.

He asked if he could pray for me. I said "yes" and he took my hands. My husband had walked up about half way through his message and Tim laid his hand on my shoulder. This man began to pray over me. He prayed for release of my fears, he prayed for healing throughout my body. I do not remember all he prayed about, but I felt it washing over me. He prayed in tongues, which normally would have freaked me out, but it was the most peaceful experience I could have imagined.

Then he asked me my name, and i told him through my tears. He said "Joy you do not have to cry anymore. Although there will be many more tears the time now is to smile. To live up to your name and spread the joy the the Lord has given to you." He continued "Joy the Lord has seen your tears and heard your prayers, and you are healed." I asked him his name and he said Charles. I thanked him for being so faithful to the Spirit's prompting and for coming to speak to me. He said to Tim "Now your job is to be an encouragement to her. There will be times she gets discouraged and you need to encourage her to press on. Tickle her if you need to, but you two need to keep laughing together." I hugged that great big man and thanked him again. I stood and watched him walk out of the room in awe. I turned towards the only two people besides Tim and I who were left, Joanie and Tim C. and began to walk towards them. I wasn't even aware of it, and Joanie said "Well that's a change!" I WAS WALKING NORMAL! I ran towards the door to tell Charles, but he was already gone.

I walked out of there with Tim carrying my cane. The stars never looked clearer, the moon never shone brighter. I was walking! There is so much freedom in just taking a step! That was 3 days ago and I am still walking!

I went to physical therapy on Monday and my team of therapist was in awe! One of them had never seen me even take on single normal step and she was in tears. One asked "What should we write in her chart? " The other answered "Exactly what happened, God healed her. We cannot take any credit for this!"

I was able to go to my family Dr. yesterday. He said " I believe in God, and I go to church, but I get paid to be the scientist here. I have to be a bit of a pessimist. He watched me walked and was impressed. He checked my reflexes to find my right side is back to 100%. He of course wants me to keep my appointments with the specialist and let him know of any changes. But he said he is happy if I walk this good the rest of my life. I said "Me too!"

My mom says Charles just may have been my angel. I do not know for sure. But I do know I was changed in an instant. No matter what your circumstance, remember God sees your tears, and He hears your prayers. Keep praying! It all can change in a day.