One year later

One year. Today marks one year since I heard the words that instantly changed everything, and somehow nothing, all at the same time. Those words followed the two worst weeks of my entire life. They confirmed what God had already told us, and we witnessed the manifestation of the natural lining up with the supernatural. Two words confirmed a miracle and a transformation in our ministry that we never even saw coming. At least not until 11 days earlier when we received the answer, 3 days before receiving a life-altering diagnosis. Those 11 days felt like an eternity. I know there are many others who have endured far greater, for far longer, and while I can never fully comprehend what someone else may face, I certainly have a greater understanding and empathy gained through the process of our experience.

As we were walking through all of this, I knew I was supposed to write about it, to catalog our struggles, emotions and the tools that helped us along the way. I made a commitment to the Lord during worship, on Father’s Day 2019, that I would use the testimony of my healing, whatever it looked like, to encourage others with every opportunity that arose for the rest of my days. On the following Wednesday, when we received a report that was far worse than anyone anticipated, we made that commitment again, this time together. To summarize Jason’s words that day: When we’re on the other side of this, satan will regret the day he messed with this family, with this ministry. We are going to shout this testimony from the rooftops and it will change lives in ways we had never even imagined before.

On June 27, 2019, two words changed everything, because, for 11 days we had used every ounce of strength to remain focused on the promises of God and not the results taunting us to be consumed by fear. And yet, at the same time, it changed nothing, because it was exactly what God had promised us all along. We didn’t know how or when it would come, but we trusted in His promise. Those words are infinitely easier to say now than they were to walk out then. There wasn’t anything easy about any part of that time. Every single day, every hour, was a struggle. We knew the battle for my healing was already won, but the battle to keep our minds in line with our spirit was a constant and exhausting struggle. But now, that was all over. Those two words were confirmation that there’s more work still to be done. It’s a big job, and it may look a bit different now than we thought it would, we certainly have a renewed fire and passion, but the goal remains the same: love God, love people, and reach as many as possible with the message that God is MADLY in LOVE with them! Now we have the opportunity to include an incredible testimony with that message, and to be an active part of taking what the enemy meant for destruction and transforming it into a powerful force for the kingdom!

Two little words did all that...