His undeserved gift...

    Geralyn was on a train on her way home to her family one afternoon when it derailed. She had just spoken to them after entering the train, letting them know that she would be home soon. Not long after, she sensed that the train was going too fast. The last thing she heard was her own scream. 
    At home, her husband heard about the train derailment on the news. He was not sure that the train was his wife’s train but when he tracked her phone, he discovered that it was. He began a frantic search for her, while their son called various hospitals trying to locate her. She was finally found…alive. She had suffered severe injuries. Doctors were doubtful she would survive. The heavy impact of the train as it crashed caused her abdominal organs to be thrown up into her chest. Her chest and rib cage were crushed. As a result, she was on a ventilator because she could not breathe on her own. She had a number of other injuries yet, had not suffered any traumatic brain injury. Her husband considered this a miracle.     
    She was in tremendous pain yet admits that the only thing she could do was pray. Even in her pain, she felt as if God was holding her. They were thankful that she was alive even though they were unsure that she would be able to walk again. After eight surgeries and five weeks in the hospital ICU, she was released to continue healing at home. When her son showed her pictures of her wrecked train car, she was reminded of God’s mercy and goodness. Over the last several years, she has endured a difficult recovery with more surgeries and setbacks. Yet, she chooses to be thankful that God sustained her through it all. She acknowledges that her faith along with with the faith of others has helped her endure her painful ordeal. The life she has been given she sees not as a miracle but as grace, as an undeserved gift that she is willing to accept.
    This testimony is not about a miraculous quick recovery but a painful ordeal that has lasted many years. It is indeed a story of God’s grace, mercy and goodness. It is a reminder to us that some challenges are going to be resolved quickly but others will take time and may test our every urge to give up. 
    As we live this life, we realise that we can’t always avoid negative situations. Geralyn was on her way home to her family. She did not expect that her journey would end the way it did. We can’t always dictate the problems that come our way or even how long they would last. Yet, through it all, God has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. He may not have promised a smooth journey without difficulties but He has promised to sustain and keep us no matter what comes our way. 
    Sometimes, our testimony may be about a quick deliverance. Other times, it will be about God’s grace and goodness as we go through a difficult and lengthy trial. Yet, no matter what God allows us to go through, the one consistent and sure truth is that He is there with us, strengthening us and encouraging us every step of the way. Even in those times when He seems silent, He is there, carrying us when we cannot do it ourselves. Psalm 18:1-2 says: “I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” God is our strength and our Deliverer. He will sustain us, He will keep us, He will help us to stand even in the most difficult of trials.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. We can’t choose our challenges but we can trust that God will give us the strength and grace needed to make it through.

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