Saved by Grace!
I was brought up in a church going family, my mother always saw to that. I accepted Jesus Christ at the early age of 10. Through the years as I got away from the Lord. He always kept His finger of love on me and tried to bring me back. Sometimes it took a lot to bring me down to my knees to where I need the Lord and His righteousness. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)
As the years went on, I got farther and farther from the Savior. Not following His plan for my life, but wanting to create my own. I use to do all the things that I should not do. I was drinking, smoking cigarette, and smoking drugs. I was getting closer to satan and not to God. I was not trusting God with my problems. I made a hypocrites oath with God, myself and others. I was going to church and actively living a sinner’s life style instead of a Christian’s life. I kept promising God that I would live for Him. God came through with His promises, but not me.
I use to be a truck driver. One day I had worked really hard to get ahead on my job. I came home and got me something to eat and smoked some drugs and went to bed. I woke up about 2:00 a.m. and stood up. All of a sudden I fell to the floor. I had no feeling on right side, I was paralyzed on the right side of my body. It was like when your leg goes to sleep; only it was not temporary. I tried to wake my wife. When she woke up, I was not able to talk so that it was understandable. She called 9-1-1. This experience really scared me. After this happened to me, I surrendered my life to God and had drawn closer to HIM.
Now, my body is very weak on the right side and is not the same. Although my body is not the same, I am working my right side and it’s getting better along with my voice. I thank God every day for blessing me. This could have been a whole lot worse. I could have been driving one of the big trucks when I had this stroke. But God did not see fit to let that happen. I am truly blessed and I have many reasons to be thankful.
Written by: Doug Kimsey
Wayside Baptist Church
Pastor Richard Collins
3606 Drake Road
Midland, NC 28107
Phone: (704)888-6102
