1999 was the year I had most of my tests
to see if I was a suitable candidate to have a Right Temporal Lobectomy (Operation on the right side of the Brain). I'd had
epilepsy most of my life and it was not being controlled with medication. I prayed several times that if it were not God's
will that I have an operation, I would not be a suitable 'candidate' for the operation.
I was told of complications that could
arise, so I just put myself into God's hands, knowing ( For of Him, and through Him and to Him, are all things; to whom
be the glory for ever. Amen. Romans 11:36) and that alone is comforting. I was suitable, and had the operation on
10th May 2000.
As a result, I had a partial stroke,
and my left side, mainly arm and leg were unable to move. (I remember thinking before I had the Operation that it really doesn't
matter what happens as long as the 'Doctors' learn something.
I couldn't be mad/upset
with God or the Doctors even though family and friends couldn't understand why. Actally I was happy and even felt priveliged
that God allowed this to happen to me. ("My brothers, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your
way, for you know that your faith succeeds in facing trials, the result is the abilty to endure. Make sure that your endurance
carries you all the way without falling". James 1:2-4), I remember also the verse from Romans 8:28 -- "We know that
in all things God works for good with those who love Him, those who are called according to His purpose". Studying
Romans for the past year helped me with this. I am sure. I knew I would need God's help, And found it in His Word. I
read through part of Nehemiah and found chapter 8, verse 10 ("......Today is holy to our Lord, so don't be sad. The joy
that the Lord give you will make you strong.") very comforting. The joy of the Lord is my strength. I was sent to a Rehabilitation
Center to continue my rehab; where I am sure God used me for His Glory. I know this for I have witnessed to many. When I first
arrived, I was a little dissapointed that my new-found independence was stripped from me. I told this to a male christian
nurse and God spoke through him very gently. I found 2 Cor. 1:9b very near to what he spoke and very true. ("But
this happened so that we should not rely on ourselves, but on God......). The other scripture references that have helped
me, are "In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us who can be against us" Romans 8:31; "For I am certain
that nothing can separate us from His love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers,
neither the world above nor the world below --- there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from
the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38 & 39 and "I alone know the plans I
have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for." Jeremiah 29:11
I am really excited because of what
God is doing through me. Staff, clients, family and friends are all being witnessed to about God's Glory. My children went
to church with me recently (actually they took me), and they haven't been for a couple of years. I do believe in the
power of God's Word and I am sure it can convict. Since being in the rehab. I have given away publications and a small Bible;
all are full of God's Word. I met a man (another client) in here and gave him the small Bible I saw him again a few
weeks later and he was smiling. I told the same Christian nurse that I had given the Bible away and he got some more off of
his father for me to give away. (His father gives away Bibles for Gideons)
It must be all the prayers said to God
for me, that made me bolder. I have wished for it for a long time and even asked for it. Especially as I can be very
quiet and reserved. I also witnessed to some through the playing of Bible tapes and Christian music. I would normally (when
I'm at home) listen to one Bible tape and a music tape every night when I go to sleep. There were many in the rehab. that
were a lot worse off than me and I didn't know if they had faith in our Lord to help them through. I prayed for them each
and the staff each night. A friend of mine who I know from Bible Study, had a son in there and she said that the 2 Cor. 1:9b
reference would be a good one to look at the next time she asks God why.
I do give all the Glory to God and thank
Him that He has given me a faith in Him. I am sure I would never have been able to go through the operation and esp. afterwards
through a stroke without Him to help me. I can now move both my arm and leg again. I am walking again now through His
grace.
Praise God For His Provision, Grace
and Mercy.
I am no longer
in a rehabilitation centre. I have been home now for a little longer than a year. The operation I had was a success! I have
had no fits (epilepsy) since. Praise God! My Medication is slowly coming down. I can still walk, (with a limp) but God has
healed me of the Epilepsy. And I know that if it wasn't with His help, including the attitude that He gave me I wouldn't have
survived this far.
