BRIEF WORD #60 JUNE 2016
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (NKJV).
Two years ago today, my life changed forever. Doctors, medical specialists, nurses, modern medical technology, the ambulance, the love and prayers of family and friends, and, the grace of God saved my life from a massive heart attack.
There’s been huge changes since then. I can’t say I’m running marathons, at the gym daily, or that I’ve joined a sports club, but what I can say, is that my life is different since that day two years ago.
I do live a more healthier life, but the biggest change is inside.
When one is faced with the reality of life-and-death, it changes the outlook one has. The old saying “Life is a journey not a destination“ has more meaning.
The reality of the destination is hugely more real to me now. The Apostle Paul said, “ … to live is Christ, and to die is gain”. (Philippians 1:21 NKJV). I know I am Heaven bound, and I nearly went there! I wasn’t afraid of ‘passing over’, but in fact looked forward to it. But, it didn’t happen, and I have that to look forward to.
While I wait, I am enjoying the journey a bit more then I was. I’ve chatted to others who have faced near-death experiences, (being in hospital gives you the chance to do that really well), and a similar story emerges. They all say it’s the little things that are actually big things. Time spent with family, a nice moment shared with someone over a coffee, and the wonder of God’s creation takes on a greater beauty.
The text for this Brief Word was given to me by a close family member and it continues to inspire me. (Never be afriad to share a Scripture with someone when you feel the inspiration to do so. It can change ther life! It can encourage and bring life like nothing else).
Change is somethng some of us like, others not so much. Some change we plan for, others we take it in our stride. Some change comes upon us like a bolt of lightening, out-of-the-blue, a surprise that snuck up on us and we were not prepared for it.
At those times, when changes are forced upon us, how do we cope? How do we adjust, how do we reset our mind to live life better? That is a huge question. Some never adjust, and live with the consequences.
For me, and I’m sure of this, that God was that Rock, that sure foundation, that hope, that “ … strength of my heart … “ and confidence which enabled me to live through it, make changes, and enjoy life better post heart attack.
Thank you for praying for me and my family at that time.
That was two years ago. But, one year ago today, another special occasion took place. Today we’re celebrating One Year since the launch of “Heart Attack – Seven Lessons From A Near-Death Experience“. I had the special thrill of writing my story and publishing a book about it.
The fact is, this book is changing lives. People have laughed, cried, booked heart and health check-ups, made life-style changes, are living more balanced lives, and strengthened their faith, after reading this book.
“Heart Attack – Seven Lessons From A Near-Death Experience“ is my story. An inspiring story of a massive heart attack that nearly took my life, and lessons gleaned along the road to recovery.
We’re all different and the dynamics of every family are different and the ways we face change are different. Some may like to talk and find that easy, others may find the expression of the same things comes better through writing it down. I find writing easier. As Flannery O’Connor said, “I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say”. I like that. I like to write to find out what I want to say. Some people speak thousands and thousands of words and somewhere in there are the few they want to say!
The book then is what I wanted to say about what nearly took me to Heaven, and seven lessons I learnt along the way – and am still learning.
But be careful – reading this book may save your life!
Get your copy now for just $23.99NZ + shipping from: www.goodwords.nz
If change is coming your way, if change has been forced upon you, how will you handle it?
Tim Tomberlin and Warren Bird in the book Better Together say, “Change is an event, something that happens. Transition is the emotional and psychological processing of the change”.
I wish I could say I have handled perfectly the changes forced upon me in the last two years, with grace and quietness and the ability to transition and process things mentally well, but I can’t. But what I can say, is that I know God is still God, He is still on the throne, He is still working things out to His glory, and He still loves me!
No matter what changes come our way, we can enjoy the journey, because we know it has one amazing destination! Heaven!
Perhaps for me a greater understanding of my destination has enabled me to live better in my journey. Or, is it a greater understanding of the journey, has enabled me to better appreciate the destination!
I pray the same for you too!
