Yesterday after a day of teaching online 12 to 2, having meetings at the school 2:15 to 4, running a few errands and teaching online 6:30 to 9:30, I decided to unwind with a movie. I watched If I Stay. It is a poignant movie about a girl in high school who is in an accident with her family. The scenes go back and forth from important moments in her life and in the hospital after the accident going back and forth between staying or dying.
Memories of when I went through my health crisis in the 1990s came back. I will never forget that night when I was home alone and thought I was going to die. The pain was that bad. I was experiencing severe muscle spasms. It seemed the end was near for me after a two year ordeal. But then I prayed.
I prayed along the lines of, “if you want to take me to heaven, that’s okay but there are more people who need to hear about you and who need help.” When I finished praying, I felt the presence of Jesus come into my small apartment and a hand on my shoulder. The pain stopped. The next day I was at the doctor and finally got a diagnosis.
That experience gave me a whole new appreciation for what Paul wrote in Philippians 1.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
If I had died that night, it would have been great for me. I would have been in heaven. But in the 26 years since that time, Jesus has blessed me with touching the lives of many. I can see it was more necessary for others that I stayed.
Even now as I live with chronic illnesses, I can see it is necessary for others that I stay. It is in the Lord’s hands for my time of departure. Until then, there are souls that need to hear, fellow believers who need strengthening. and people to help.
Thank you for reading. God Bless.
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Amen my brother Matt, our Lord is using you to minister to others especially anyone who is living with a chronic illness, that regardless our our short comings God can and will use you, and believe me our Lord is truly using you in so many ways.
Thank you 🙏
God’s strength is revealed in our weakness
Amen, Matt. In our weaknesses, He is strong! I’m glad you’re still here. There is obviously much left for you to do. Blessings!
Thank you David. He is strong when we are weak
The Lord is definitely using you to touch others. He has a plan and purpose for all of our days.
Amen. Ephesians 2:10🤗
Great verse to go with your testimony Matt! Glory to Him!
Thank you little sister 🙏
A very moving testimony of God’s healing power, and how He uses us uniquely, to further His kingdom.
Thanks, Matt. 🌼🤗
Thank you Sally. We are his craftsmanship
Amen! Our lives are in God’s hands – capable hands, all-knowing hands.
The best hands to be 8n
Be in
The Lord is using every detail of your life to minister to many. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you 🙏
We are his craftsmanship
The Lord was not yet done with you. You still had work to do ❤️❤️
Yes more to do ❤️
I would like a vacation though lol
I do believe you will need it soon 🙌🏽🙌🏽
it is necessary for others that I stay. wow!!oh my gooness what a statement, I need to do more for others.
We can all do more 🙂
Blessings to you Matt. God has a plan for each of us. When we accept that He is in control, we see a more illuminated path to walk.
Indeed he lights our path
I’m glad you stayed! It won’t take anything from your eternity with the Lord. 😀
🤗 thank you 🤗
Amen to the Lord Almighty for showing you so much love that you share it all around. Thank the Lord for your life that He strengthens you daily to inspire others. Thank the Lord that He smiles down at You daily so you can tell all your stories.
I am bless that you are around and praise God for that. May He continue to bless you 🙂
In Christ Jesus. Amen
Thank you little sister. 🤗
How are you?
All good thanks be to God and very happy it is Friday 🤗
How are you? You taking the medication today?
Took it yesterday
👍🏾hope you had a good rest
I did 😴
🤗
Glad you stayed. I got an opportunity to meet you. 😊 Abba loves you, big bro. 🤗
I am glad I met you too little sister 🤗
Aww. 🤗😊
I am glad God chose to keep you here big brother. You have been and will continue to be used by Jesus ❤️
Thank you little sister ❤️
Beautiful story and testimony. We never know how God will use us and in what circumstances. He is a keeper and you a witness to that truth.😇👣
It is an adventure serving Jesus