I am amazed by the perseverance of women in my life who allow tough times to strengthen them. I know a young woman who lived through the midst of the Civil War in Liberia. Rape and molestation were rampant. She became pregnant when she was 14 years old and her parents abandoned her. She had to overcome bitterness towards those who treated her like nothing more than an object, and anger and resentment towards her parents. At 29 years old, she reflects on her past with hope and forgiveness. She wants to help other women to overcome the pain and suffering that she has endured in her own life.
Isaiah 40:… 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Sometimes we feel like life isn’t fair. Sometimes we feel like God isn’t meeting our needs and we are not getting our “wants” fulfilled. As a quadriplegic, I have felt this many times over. These are the times we have to trust. If we trust in the hardest of times and fight to stay connected to God, we will renew our strength and soar in our relationship with him. It won’t be easy, but the longer we persevere, the more we will grow. In doing this, we will bear much fruit in our lives.
I have spent the last two weeks in and out of the hospital with acute respiratory failure. I now have to sleep with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) at night. Two years ago, this situation would have devastated me, sunk me into a deep depression and a feeling of despair. But because I have stayed faithful to God and have allowed strong women to help me through the tough times, my character is stronger than ever and my hope and trust has grown tremendously. I may stumble as I run the race marked out for me, but with God, I will always stand tall again.
Psalm 37: 23 The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; 24 though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise. – Maya Angelo
Diary of a Quadriplegic 
Your transparent honesty, courage and determination to honor God ALWAYS touches me. Thank you. Prayers lifting you up.
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Hi Billie Jo. Thanks for the encouraging comments.
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Good Morning Terri. God’s Blessings to you. As you wrote of your amazement of others who have gone through tough times, I, and I am sure many others, are amazed and inspired by you. I am inspired by reading your blog posts, so I can only imagine what those feel and experience who actually know you personally, and get to see you, spending time with you.
Thank you for sharing a bit of your life, and God’s Faithfulness in this way.
You are right, we don’t understand all this now, but we do know our God who is in control.
Again, God’s Abundant Blessings on your life and Ministry. You are appreciated.
Luv, George.
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Thank you, George. It’s healing for me to share my life with others. I’m so glad that a few people are inspired by my words. A gift from God.
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Amen! I love your attitude.
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Thank you, Patrick.
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Thanks..I love You.
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Hello Terri, You are an inspiration and awe me! SO glad you are out of the hospital and have a solution with the CPAP supporting your sleep at night. You are in my prayers. I’m wondering if you are up for company soon or shying away due to flu season peaking at this time. I’d love to visit when you are up for it.
Always the Nurse, Madonna
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Really dffxkb
Sent from my iPhone
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You are such an inspiration, my friend.
Life really isn’t fair, but if we rely on God and get an eternal perspective, we can make it through the toughest of times.
As an Online Missionary with Global Media Outreach, most of my contacts have been in Africa. Like the sister you mentioned, their stories inspire me and keep me from feeling sorry for myself.
God bless you, Terri.
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Sorry for the delay in responding to you. As always, thank you for continuing to read my blog. I am so inspired by your heart to be an online missionary and do global media out. Wow – you just do it all! You, my friend, inspire me.
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Always inspiring, and I appreciate it! Praying for you in the midst of the health issues.
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Hi Joy – thank you for continuing to read my blog and staying in touch. It’s always a delight to hear from you.
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It sets my heart free whenever I read about all that God is teaching you, in the good times and in the hard times. You are always learning and growing and then sharing.
I love you dearly! Betsy
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I love your blog Terri, and I see so much of God’s beauty in you. Your honest faith and your insightful writing moves and encourages the hearts of many people like me who have read your blog for a long time but may not have gotten the chance to comment until now. What a blessing you are, thank you and God bless.
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