“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me.” 2 Corinthians 12:7

My 40’s was a wild time. Everyone always treated me well and I became proud and conceited. I had always been told I was special and it went to my head, I guess, because I began to want what I wanted all the time. It was up to me to make sure my life was great and only I mattered. At least that is how I acted. Well I really feel that God needed to bring me down a notch or two before I destroyed my life completely. Well at 45 I had a major stroke. When I woke up I couldn’t speak, or move at all. The doctors said I probably wouldn’t make it. But I did and even improved by leaps and bounds, but it took years. It was a very difficult time for me but God was patiently working. I eventually moved into a nursing home in another city. Several divine encounters and I began to seek more and more of what God had for me. When we are struggling and seeking God and nothing is happening God is probably working on our hearts. God will allow Satan to bring trials that God will use for our good, in his time. It usually takes longer than we would like but we are the one taking too long. At first I thought God would heal me and I really believed and expected it. But after years I gave up. I would just have to get used to my new normal. But I did seek God with my whole heart. The joy and peace came by leaps and bounds and I became a blessing to others. Just like God did for Job he blessed the latter part of my life more than double. When you see a rose the bigger the thorns are, the bigger the rose is. You also don’t get thorns and no roses. Another reason for the thorns is protection. The delicate rose needs to be kept safe while it’s growing. Now when people ask if I want to be healed, I say I was. God knew what I needed more than anyone else ever could. I am so thankful and grateful for everything I have now because of my stroke. Without it where would I be? Well I probably would have made it to heaven but with a mediocre life and not near as fulfilling and joyful as it is now.