Testimony by Joy Meek, Women’s Apostolic Alliance Member
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Many years ago, when I was a new Christian going into a church service I was introduced to a lovely young woman. She was in her late twenties at that time and had her little 3yr old son beside her, and was followed by her parents. I couldn’t help but notice she had this beautiful smile, and her face just shone with God’s light, but she was struggling to walk and needed a forearm crutch to support herself. I later found out that she had been slowly losing the ability to walk unaided and her speech was becoming slurred.
She was married but her husband wasn’t coping with the situation and was not looking after her as he should. Her parents had been taking her to many doctors and specialists for tests to try and find the cause of the problem, but the tests weren’t revealing anything.
Some time later, after more tests had been done, she was diagnosed as having Motor Neuron Disease, with no known cure. This disease causes rapid progressive muscle weakness, specifically affects nerve cells that control the muscles that enable you to move, speak, breathe and swallow. Much prayer for healing was done by many people and she attended many healing meetings from visiting ministers with healing ministries, but nothing seemed to be happening with her health.
This precious young woman had much faith in God’s word, she never seemed to falter in her confession, that she was healed in the name of Jesus Christ. Regardless of what her situation looked like the love of God always shone brightly on her face. Even when she was struggling, she very seldom complained. She witnessed to everyone about how good God was to her and how much He loved and cared for her. Over time her condition got worse and she was unable to look after herself. She was now wheelchair-bound, the marriage had ended, and her parents were now her carers. They had also become guardians of her little boy as she could no longer look after him.
As time went on it was difficult for her to stay in the family home because of her condition and the care that she needed. She had to be relocated into nursing care, at that time there were not any care homes for young adults, so she had to go into aged care to be looked after. But through all this, her smiling face shone bright and she witnessed Gods love and salvation wherever she went. She was always deeply loved by her family and they kept in close contact with her, so she was able to see her son grow up into an adult.
One time when we went to visit her at the nursing home, we found her busy spreading God’s love to some people with dementia. It didn’t matter to her if they were acting strangely, she would just talk to them about Jesus. Everybody knew who she was and what her life was about. She shared about the love of her life to all, whether they believed her or not. She endured the disease for many years until finally, the Lord took her home to be with Him.
Through all that time she stood on God’s word that said she was healed. Although she didn’t receive her healing while on earth she never gave up believing in God’s word and His unconditional love for her.
This young women’s life was a testimony of God’s love, strength and grace as He enabled her to stand firm and witness to so many.
Although she had lost everything in her personal life, she had kept the most important thing, the love of Jesus Christ. And by faith in Him, her life was full regardless of the circumstances. Now she has her reward of everlasting life in Jesus.
Life isn’t always what we expect, but the Lord says He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
