Let me tell you a little story about my mom. Last Easter she was finally able to return to her home after spending 9 long months in a nursing home. She had every reason to doubt that she would ever leave that nursing home. The doctors, physical therapists and nurses all told my mother the same thing. That she would never be able to walk again, that she would spend the rest of her life in that wheelchair. But, my mother is a woman of prayer and has faith in God and continually prayed for healing and respite. Over those 9 months she showed great progress but still no one ever thought that she would be able to walk again, and that she wouldn't be able to adjust to this new life that she found herself in.
Now, she had ever right to become depressed and despondent. She was all alone in Pennsylvania and stuck in a nursing home without any visitors except maybe the pastor and his wife, but because the pastor also works full-time visits were few and even sometimes rare. My mother told me that each phone call I made to her while she was in there was like having a visit or someone actually coming in to see you. It broke the monotony of the day and switched up the routine. I also know this from my own recent incursion at a local nursing home for rehabilitation.
Both, my mother and I had infections that attacked our back and spinal column. Her's was much worse than mine, she actually developed a huge abscess that actually ruptured and spilled out into her system. After 9 or 10 hours of washing and cleansing that internal sore out an accident occurred and the nerve endings to her lower body were cut. She was told as I have stated that she would be paralyzed and in that wheel chair forever. I was told something very similar during my stay in the rehab center. Yet, as of today I am walking free and clear without having to rely on a walker or a cane. My mother called me this evening and told me that she actually got a cart at the grocery store and was able to walk the entire store without any assistance or aid. The wheel chair was left in the car and she did it on her own.
Both my mother and me have great testimonies that we could share with you and in most cases I have shared mine with you. But the reason why I am bringing this up tonight is that I feel the need to remind not only myself but you as well that no matter what the situation, disaster, illness, or disability befalls us. if there is a Will there is a Way!
If you truly believe that you can do something you will be able to do it. The mind is a very powerful thing, and if we have a need and a desire we can accomplish anything. Remember that it is always darkest before the dawn. Which means the hardest part is yet to come but we can see the light and we know that once we reach it everything will be alright. I remind myself daily that nothing is permanent in this world and that everything passes. My grandmother used to tell me "This too shall pass wait and see". You know she was right!
Since 2012 I have been writing in this blog and I have been laying my life out in the open for anyone to see. I don't think that it is wrong for me to do this because I have gone through so many things that I believe that someone out there is or has gone through some situation that has been or is similar to what I went through and if my experience can help them through in some way then my sharing was all for the better. As many of you know I have been diagnosed with 6 separate terminal illnesses, yet I carry forward like nothing is wrong. People tell me that it is because I am strong and have a positive nature and outlook. But honestly, I believe that 90% is prayer and 10% is believing that my prayers are being answered daily.
I have become so in-tuned and in-touch with God that I see and experience miracles everyday. Example, 2 weeks ago I was ordered by the court to attend a drug and alcohol screening to see if I needed to go through some classes to help me deal with addiction. This was a mandatory condition of my probation and something that my probation officer set up for me. I had to meet with this counselor and pay $20 and let her evaluate and scrutinize every part of my life. But, as I was sitting there talking with the lady something miraculous happened, I felt a peace come over me and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Spirit of the Lord had come into the room and that I wasn't going to have to do any classes. As a matter of fact we talked for a bit longer and she asked me to look at her computer and fix it. Guess, what I did and for the time I spent working on her computer she paid me $20.
This was a tremendous blessing because that was my last $20 that I had and it was still several days till I got my next check. But, as I have always told you. You never know where a casual conversation is going to lead you. By taking my time and actually opening up to this counselor and telling her the absolute truth about my drug usage a miracle was performed. I knew that there was no sense to lie to her she had access to my entire record so she would have know if I was lying. Plus, it was easier to talk with her once I told her why should I lie, I would only get caught and she agreed with me. From that meeting she has contact the organization that I am a member of the Positive Champions Speakers Bureau and has asked for one our speakers to come in and talk to her groups to teach them all about HIV, AIDS and awareness.
You may be wondering why I am telling you all of this, and it is because I want you to know that you can and will succeed at every endeavor that is thrown your way and every obstacle that is in your path, and why do you think that is? Because if you "can conceive it and believe it you will achieve it." For every storm there is a lull or an eye it is when it seems to lighten up a bit and you have a temporary respite from the weather, but there is still more to come and you need to brace yourself for it. Always look for the light at the end of the tunnel, the silver lining in the clouds, Light dispels the darkness, chases away the shadows, and will eat away at the doubts and depression that are filling your mind. It is that speck of light in the distance that gives you hope, and pulls you ever onward toward it. Once you see that light you know you are almost home free and that you have made it through. It is not always easy to see the light at the end of the tunnel and those storm clouds can be mighty dark. Just keep in mind what my grandmother used to tell me this too shall pass. Trust me it will. Nothing last forever!
The point I am trying to make here is that there is nothing that you cannot overcome. Nothing has permanence in this life and time keeps marching on so if you have the will and the drive you can over come any obstacle that life has in store for you. Just keep in mind that if you keep a positive outlook on life, then the storms and hardships aren't too hard for you to weather, because the negativity just rolls off you like water.
If you don't believe me in this look at my mother's story and tell me that her continued improvement and victories were because she had the will to overcome and she didn't let depression and negativity hold her down. She knew what she wanted and she did what she had to to accomplish that. that is all I want for each and everyone of you. To set your mind to a task and own it. Set you will on it and make it your own because you can and you will succeed.
I am proud of the accomplishments my mother has made and it makes me feel good that she has progressed so far in such a short time. I am also proud of the strides I have made in my own personal life and health, because I know that when the physical therapist told me that I would never get out of that wheel chair, I just had to prove her wrong and I did everything I could to get myself out of that chair and I am so glad that I did. It taught me that if there is a will and a want you can accomplish it no matter what the obstacles are.
Take each day one at a time. Put your mind to a task and just do it. It might surprise you at what you can accomplish just by putting your mind to it.
As always my hopes and dreams are with you,
-Uncle B
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