“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 ESV
Faithful to God’s promise, all things work together for good. With mixed emotions, it is pretty liberating that I am moving out from my circumstance on the effect of stroke, little by little, surely and safely, in God’s time. I am no preacher here. I am sharing with you my testimony about the saving grace of God thru Jesus Christ. It may not be in a church setting but a different platform considering these Covid times.
2017 was the gloomiest year of my life. In a series of unfortunate events, I lost my Mom, and a day after her death, I suffered a stroke at the brainstem. I didn’t see her laid to rest because of my situation. And it was good for me. I would deliberately like to cherish happy memories with her during her lifetime with us.
The stroke affected me differently, and it was a challenge. It felt like I was floating, like an astronaut. I lost my sense of balance as well as my ability to swallow. The medical team inserted a tube in my stomach, which was a means of feeding myself until I relearned my eating ability.
Fortunately, I regained it back and took me one and a half year to do that. I am very grateful to Dra. Daisy and Doc Weegee for being the early responders at that time and Pastor Richard for giving me spiritual care during my stay in the hospital and even until today. I am very fortunate to have a neurologist on board, Doc Victor, for educating me about my condition and the state of my recovery for the next months and years. Both him and Dra. Daisy reminded me that my situation was a battle of the mind and healing is a process. And I grasped what they mean – a change in mindset and attitude. I was fortunate enough that the stroke didn’t affect my cognition. However, it was a life-changing event.
Moving forward today, I can feel my senses are returning to normal, just like before. Despite the circumstances that happened to me and even amidst the pandemic, God demonstrated His love for me by His daily provisions, without my input. He placed me in the backseat, and He, being the driver of my life, made me enjoy the ride – that is, my recovery which is a work-in-progress.
I may be vulnerable to bumps and potholes as big as this one. It’s God’s way of saying that we can do nothing without Him. This life-changing event made me more challenging thru Him. I can boldly say that my God is more significant than my fears.
And Jesus Christ is my living hope. Make Him yours today.
Postscript: Living Hope, initially sung by Phil Wickham, has many covers on YouTube, but this rendition of Abigail Davis Ginsterblum caught my attention ‘coz it’s more upbeat and contemporary. You can play it here.
Moreover, special thanks to the people who helped me, especially during my trying times and even until today: the First Baptist Church of San Fernando Community, my friends, batchmates in high school and college, former officemates of mine, brother Lawrence & Noel, Team Akikers as well as my loving family, my Dad, Arvin & Mitzi and our relatives. Special mention to Stroke Survivor and the new breed of survivors in the forum and around the globe.
May God bless you hundredfolds.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY.
Bike Buddies 