Since my stroke recovery, I’ve been impressed with the value and beauty of life in ways I probably took for granted before.  I recognize that God is in control and that He can bring any of our lives through some pretty amazing twists and turns. I now realize that there’s a gift in a life-threatening experience. It creates a new desire to not only get more out of life, but to draw closer to God in the process.

As I was working my way back to better health, I realized that I was also working my way back to a more significant relationship with God. The more I got to know Him and focus on Him, the more I wanted to do something for Him.  I wanted to serve God in ways that would please Him.  To do that, I became more committed to things like prayer and Scripture reading and doing what I could to give back to the community.  I asked God to use me. 

He knew I was damaged goods because that’s all any of us can be. He created each one of us and He knows who we are.  He knows we’re not perfect. He knows our fears and our flaws. When I look at some of the patriarchs though, like Abraham and Moses and David, I can see that God has only ever had imperfect beings to get His work done.  What He needs then is not perfect beings, but willing beings. He needs people who are ready to surrender to His way of doing things and then to walk with Him as closely as we can.

A stroke can damage your body, but your heart can be damaged by many other things. Let God heal your heart and your body so that you can serve Him with joy.  You may be damaged goods, but in God’s hand, you’re good enough to be His very own. With your help, His work can be done perfectly.

Live by following the Spirit. Then you will not do what your sinful selves want. Our sinful selves want what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is against our sinful selves. The two are against each other, so you cannot do just what you please.    Galatians 5:16-17, NCV