A Lesson In Perseverance
Get up and seek that which you desire, because it will not just come to you
Get up and seek that which you desire
If you have read any of my stories, you know that I was ill, went looking for God, found Him, and spirituality.
I had always been told that I was a purposeful person.
I never thought anything was different about myself, it was just how it always was.
My grandmother had always said, “If you need anything, you ask, no one can hit you, they can only tell you no!”
So that is the mindset I have.
Just ask!
The answer may be “yes”!
The woman with the issue of blood
In the year 1997, though I was unaware, I had begun a true transitioning toward my soul purpose.
I was young, and I was sick.
After a recent surgery, I was still weak, sick, and prone to bouts of arrhythmia.
My mother was a Sabbath observer at the time.
My mother’s best friend of many years and her husband were also members of the same church.
They told my mother about a Shambach revival occurring in the Bronx in New York.
R.W. Shambach was a renowned and charismatic evangelist of that time.
A man who had traveled the world praying, preaching, winning souls for heaven.
Therefore, when my mother and her church family desired to go to the revival, I was just as excited.
Like the woman with the issue of blood, I decided I was going to receive my healing that night. I was ready, my faith was strong and I would release it.
It was a long way and by the time the four of us got there, the revival was over.
I was so disappointed because I was determined to have the man of God pray for me.
Though disappointed, I was unfazed and determined.
Sometimes you need a village
I looked for the minister and as God would have it, he was in my field of vision.
The fact that such an encounter happened was serendipitous. This was a huge arena and a man so well-known was surrounded by his personal team but somehow I remember being able to walk up to him.
“Brother Shambach, I came all this way so you can petition for my healing please!”
I further said, “and I am not leaving until you pray for me!”
I don’t remember all the details of what transpired that night but right out there in the open field he placed his hands on my head and prayed for me.
That was the very first time I felt the energy forcefield (that is the is the only way I know how to explain what I felt.)
I remember the air crackled with the essence of it and I felt all the hairs on my skin stand up. I could feel a swirling about my person and after the prayer, we went into the tent, (there was continued singing, though the minister had left), I could barely stand up, but the energy came with me and stayed for quite some time.
There were many people standing around and I looked left and right trying to understand what was this feeling and where was this “electricity” coming from. I wondered if other people felt it too, though I did not ask anyone.
That was my very first recollection of what I came to know as the presence of the Holy Spirit.
I was still very weak and I had literally dragged myself out to that revival as I was certain I would be healed.
Sometimes, you need to walk the healing out
We returned home and I did not really feel any different and I resumed my place in the sickbed.
A few days went on and I cannot recall how long it was until the day I saw the “white mist” approaching that would miraculously touch me with the gift of healing.
While my healing was not instantaneous, I immediately began feeling better and each day I walked taller until I was well again.
Soon thereafter, I would return to my life and regular duties.
There are of course many pieces of this puzzle (recording them in my book).
The takeaway is this;
If you are to achieve anything in life, you must arise from your place of comfort to actively seek it.
Now I know that healing is always present for us, we do not necessarily need anyone else to seek it on our behalf, though sometimes we need others to agree with us if our faith is not strong enough to “garner” it for ourselves.
Another lesson I learned at grandmas feet is that if you want something in life, you must go after it, seek it out, work towards it and persevere until you have that which you seek.
Put in the effort, if it is your destiny, it will be available for you.
Do not give up, stay the course.
Ask for what you need, the answer may be “yes”!
What stories can you share about a time you persevered?
Pene Hodge is a mom, a nurse, a writer. She writes because she must. She loves people and is committed to sharing and gleaning knowledge for the betterment of all.
