Let me tell you a story. It's a little feel good. A few people on here are needing something.
Years ago, over 10 my wife n girl for over 21 years left. She took my kids n wouldn't let me see them.
Ok to cut some of the drama, I was in over 300k in debt, she took my 401k, my savings, checking account n cleaned out my business. To put it bluntly I was broke.
I turn the heat on only when my kids would come over, it'd be so cold in the house when they weren't around my quads on my thighs were cold upon waking.
Always figured it'd get better.
Prob was I was now out of oil n needed 300 bucks to get more.
This was a week before Christmas n my kids were 2 n 5. I had no money for gifts. Low time for me.
My neighbor came over n asked if I wanted to take the kids to church. They were making ornaments for 10 bucks a kid. All I had was 20 but I went. See my ex took all the business money n I didn't even have an income.
Anyway we had fun. Upon going home I checked the mail. There was a card in there w no return address. It had $100 gift card from Walmart and $100 for toys are us. I was blown away. That was Sat.
A couple days later I came home from work to find a construction garbage bag on my steps with wrapped gifts n my kids names on it. Even now tough to think about.
Next day $300 in American Express gift cards, exactly what I needed for oil. The next day another construction garbage bag full of gifts.
Very recently, I've been diagnosed w a big brain tumor. Plus 2 tick borne illnesses. The Dr said my body shouldn't be handling it. I should be incapacitated. I feel ok now. I'm working, going to gym, shooting my bow. Only the Lyme meds screwed me up for a bit this spring. Most my issues have subsided. This morning the job super offered a check to help w medical expenses. Didn't know the fellow even a few months ago. You never know who God will bring into your life to help.
Tell me something is all this possible without the prayers of others n the love of God? For those doubting, consider this post and God bless you.
What I'm thinking is let's help others by sharing stories to saying something maybe inspirational to help the people suffering right now. Hope to hear/see some stories
Wow that's a rough patch for sure ....makes what I thought were major problems seem like nothing. Glad you made it thru the first situation and I know God is able to get you thru the health problems will keep you in my prayers.
God is good n if we can use tough times in life as a learning experience to help others it becomes a blessing.
When I was divorcing another neighbor used to stop by all the time. She said when she was divorcing she prayed to God to feel better n when she did she'd use the experience to help others. Than she said that's why she was there talking to me.
Thought that prayer was selfless n I started praying that prayer. I never forgot my promise/prayer n that's why I'm posting this. I'm sure I'm gonna be ok. Others are now struggling
sorry to hear all your going thru, God is good and He is faithful
Great story! God is so faithful. I make it point to help others who need it. I love to give in the terms you spoke of. The recipients do not know it came from me. Therefore all the glory is given to God. Praise be to God.
And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.
No doubt here. God is so good. Prayer is powerful
Thanks for posting Bowguy, I was in similar situation several years ago and it's a hard place to be after a couple decades together with kids. You think everyone looks at you different, friends choose sides or stay away completely. But some of that may be what I reflected to others and my own projected thoughts. You can't stay down too long or it will become permanent. You did the right thing, get active, busy with church and community. I was in a dark place for too long, years really, but praise be to God that I am here today just a little wiser and older. I have a friend who called me regularly, stayed in contact during those hard times and is now my best friend. And yes, he's a very good turkey hunter and a Christian.......persistent pays in hunts, life, relationships.
Amen. Gods grace is sufficient. Whenever I start feeling sorry for myself, i try to think about people that would kill to be in my shoes.. kinda puts things in perspective..
Jesus walked on this earth a carpenter and lived a humble servant's life. When we believe and make Jesus our Lord and Savior God works on us to make us over in His Son's image. In other words to be humble and a servant to others. Mercy is what Jesus provides in abundance, what makes us over and gives us life, life to the fullest. God Bless you my friend.
Quote from: Double B on June 14, 2017, 05:17:04 PM
Thanks for posting Bowguy, I was in similar situation several years ago and it's a hard place to be after a couple decades together with kids. You think everyone looks at you different, friends choose sides or stay away completely. But some of that may be what I reflected to others and my own projected thoughts. You can't stay down too long or it will become permanent. You did the right thing, get active, busy with church and community. I was in a dark place for too long, years really, but praise be to God that I am here today just a little wiser and older. I have a friend who called me regularly, stayed in contact during those hard times and is now my best friend. And yes, he's a very good turkey hunter and a Christian.......persistent pays in hunts, life, relationships.
Not saying I didn't wanna stay down. It's prob normal. I remember the day a friend came to my house w a long face saying he'd heard the news. He asked if I wanted to go to a Christian church w him. I'd have never gone before, wasn't going to that cult stuff.
I wanted out of the house so I went. I've never looked back church wise. I was raised in a denomination that didn't touch me the same. Christian churches that I've been too are powerful n bubbly, best place to pass some rough times.
I remember another time I was feeling down, I hadn't hunted n it was late bird season. My buddy asked if I'd run dogs for them being his dad, kid, buncha friends were all going. I told him just take a dog n go.
He insisted I come as they'd handle better for me. I wasn't hunting but I'd go I said. My friends had all my hunt gear anyway, didn't want to leave it home to get accused of anything.
We arrive at the spot, I see everyone getting ready n than notice my gun n vest in back of a truck. They say I'm hunting. The wagging tails, flushing birds, gunshots n tinkering bells were therapeutic. I needed the break from me. Thank God for that day!
It's all normal and part of our healing. Good friends make things pass quicker n help us forget. God sent them to us too.
I hope some of these words are making sense to those who need it. I wanna say something else too, no matter the prob, someone wishes they had it cause theirs is worse. We are blessed. Don't forget this.
Thanks for sharing such a great story. God bless you my friend.
Thank you for sharing your story. You may never know how many you've touched and helped.
Thanks,
Clark
Praise God for your boldness to share brother! Its easy to go to church every Sunday and hear the same lines..."How you doing?" "Good how about you?" "Awe we good to doing just fine" Those when shared as pleasantries are customary, but if we were fine we wouldn't be in church, congregated with other believers. The fact is we are all broken and in need of the Great Physician to heal us and he did just that through His death on the cross! I told my friends I just want to answer one time when asked how I am doing and say......"Terrible I have really struggled with lusting after women this week and need your prayers."
We all find ourselves in valley's and hills, some deeper and steeper than other more shallow and easy to climb.
God's love is an all encompassing love.... Jesus said...."What is the price of two sparrows- one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."- Matthew 10:29-30
I am putting you on my prayer list bowguy! If you need to talk shoot me a PM.
God bless you brother!
Thank you Bugman, I really do believe I will be ok. I want to use some of this to help others. Thank you everyone but let's pray for others who are in need
dang bowguy. Thats a tough situation all around but you already know god is good and it rains on the just and unjust alike. You know if you pray to him , he knows your heart and you will be ok. I will send a prayer your way. Keep your head up and with god in your life , there is no storm you cant weather.
If I tried to sit down and write about how many times the Lord has rescued me we'd be here a while. I have literally been blessed beyond what I could ever say. He has delivered me from depression, losing a job, healed my wife and saved me from death and all of those are just the small things. Most of all he took a sinner and agnostic/atheist and offered me grace and forgiveness, and entry into his kingdom. Life was soaring for me by the early 90s and I was living my dream, but life was unsettled after having one of my very dearest friends die in my arms one day.I needed to settle this God thing once and for all. To make this short I started a quest to answer the big one,"is God real". I found my answer in Jesus Christ around 1996. Little did I know that he had saved me in preparation for the biggest crap storm I could ever imagine. Within 7 years I would face multiple serious illnesses with my wife, my mother becoming terminally ill, financial ruin, depression and multiple deaths among my family and friends. Not to mention my own problems. I thought the storm would never end, but it did and everything I lost has been restored many times over. I have peace. When I committed my soul to Jesus I promised I would follow him forever. He certainly brought me through some tough fires, but I have kept that promise and minister to his kingdom in any form I can. I answered the call to minister to incarcerated juvenile boys and have ran a prison ministry to them for many years now. I have seen miracles upon miracles and can say GOD IS GREAT!
Now for a personal story. Some of you know in 2009 I was shot and critically wounded in a turkey hunting accident. I found myself laying on the forest floor bleeding to death and I literally asked the Lord out loud, "is this the day I die"? I thought of my wife who I did not kiss goodbye that day, I thought about my daughters and the fact I would never walk them down the Isle, I thought I'll never see my grandchildren and I did not want to die alone! The Lord said to me in my spirit, "get up and fight" and I did. I walked as far as I could bleeding profusely until my buddy found me, but we still had 3/4 mile to the truck. We made there and to a hospital and 10 minutes later I crashed on the table. I was life flighted to a trama center and by God guided hands I lived. It was a very hard recovery that took a year and in that year I fell and broke my arm so severely it required wiring back together. I can tell you it was tough and discouraging, but I knew God was right there at every step. So fast forward, I have recovered from all wounds, physical and emotional and I'm back in the woods and loving life. Don't ever think God can not deliver you from any circumstance......He is simply AWESOME
Wow Eggshell, that's some story. I'm glad you're ok n sorry for any trouble you endured.
An oh man, these stories make my heart smile!!!
I've got one too and I'll pass it along. About 13yrs ago I went through some very rough times. A long time relationship ended, I lost a good job and was going through bankruptcy. That's the majors and there were plenty of minors going on as well. I had always been a fixer, if anything was wrong I'd fix it. At least I thought it was me until I truly realised who the fixer is. I tried and tried but couldn't do anything about my situation. I was raised in church but quit going in my teenage years but always had a strong belief in God. After failing to fix my problems myself, I turned them over to God. I had nowhere else to turn except Him. I turned them over in COMPLETE faith and trust and started trying to live for Him and be a good example. I started reading the Bible and listening to what it told me. I started trying to be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit.. I gained a confidence and peace that to this day I can't fully explain. Things started changing for me slowly, it didn't happen overnight. When something changed I'd smile and think.....God, that's you because it could NOT happen any other way, thank you. Things have been good for me for a while now. I still smile when I see His work in my life and others. As far as the peace and confidence that I talked about., I know that if my life crashes and I end up living under a bridge, I'm going to be just fine.
Praise and glory to God alone.