Dear Readers;
It just occurred to me that I have not been posting the lifestream of Wisdom Wednesday on here, I'm so sorry. But there's still time to follow along. Last week, we talked about what wisdom truly meant. This week, we will see faith in action in the life of Abraham and Sarah. You can check out my video here:
Music Monday: How You Live (Turn Up The Music) by Point Of Grace
by Debbie
Another weekend has come and gone, and it's time to get
back to work. I know what you're thinking, "But Debbie, I can't do it
anymore. No one notices me where I work,"
But I can guarantee you somewhere in your realm of
influence; you are seen. People say that actions speak louder than words, and
it's true. As I said before, as Christians, we serve as God's ambassadors of
Truth and Love to the world around us.
So today, even if you think no one is watching. God is.
How you live says a lot about you as a person and what you value
The song I've chosen for today's "Music Monday"
is all about appreciating every day we have on this earth; it reminds us of the
importance of never taking for granted the loved ones in our lives. Because
sadly, no one is promised tomorrow.
So let's live today as if it was our very last-wear that
pretty dress, kiss your children good night
Point Of Grace's "How you Live (Turn Up The Music)-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjFyvzUk-cg
Five Lessons Learned from Chronic Illness: Alisha’s Story
by Debbie
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference virtually from home. This conference taught lessons on everything- from how to take an idea and run with it to new marketing ideas for the published author. During this time, I also connected with other writers through zoom, and we shared how God led us to be writers; these stories not only inspired me to keep writing but I felt led to share them here with you
Growing up, Alisha Scroggins dreamed big just like any other little girls. She wanted to get married and someday serve as a missionary to those in Africa. Scroggins believed in Jesus and thought she had her whole life to look forward to. At 23, she was working as a middle school teacher in the daytime, but also served as a supervisor for a Christian residential school in Grundy Virginia. But after just 2 1/2 years of working there, Scroggins began exhibiting strange symptoms and unusual food allergies. In fact, she even developed hives after eating Chick-Fil-A.
“One freak reaction turned into more and more,” said Scroggins.
It was then that she decided to consult a doctor and was diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation-meaning she was virtually allergic to everything. This limited her diet to only eggs and carrots. Unfazed by the diagnosis, she didn’t take it seriously at first; despite being extremely weak and fatigued, Scoggins did whatever she could to keep her jobs.
“Honestly, I blew it off as being no big deal. Although as it took over more and more of my world and caused me to lose my job by the summer of 2019, I was devastated and definitely felt completely alone,”
From that point on, her lifestyle changed drastically; no longer was she consumed by her outdoor hobbies, instead she remained vigilant about her health doing whatever she could to stay alive. Over the course of the next year, her symptoms began to intensify, seven to several other diagnoses and the decision to insert a feeding tube. Instead of simplifying matters, it only complicated things for Scroggins. These complications included think everything from two blood clots, a pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis several bouts of sepsis as well as other infections. Despite these setbacks, she never gave up hope that God had something bigger in mind for her.
As her condition worsened and she found herself hospitalized over 100 times, Scroggins refused to give up and feel sorry for herself. Instead, she discovered solace in her writing; there she was able to make sense of her emotions and everything she experienced.
“It really became a way for me to express all that was going on in my head and heart when I got sick and was in bed/resting so much.” Scroggins said.
She began to take her writing more seriously one day in April 2020. During her stay at the hospital, she coded due to a of her central line. In those few minutes, she had no pulse; however, she felt God speaking to her.
“I remember very clearly God telling me ‘I am not done with you yet’ as I took a big deep breath and came back to life in my body. It was from that experience that ‘Mess 2 Masterpiece’ and really my vulnerability with everything I was going through birthed.”
From then on, she has remained dedicated to her mission – teaching others to search for Jesus in even the darkest of circumstances. She hopes that her story will encourage others not to take a single day in life for granted-because tomorrow is not promised for anyone. Although her experience with chronic illness has been a painful one, she has learned some invaluable lessons:
I think Scroggins puts it best when she says, “Even amidst suffering and struggles, we can have genuine joy in Jesus in knowing He is with us so we are never alone. We also know this world is not our home.”
This brave young woman is still defying the odds that the doctors put on her living this long. For more information on her ministry, please feel free to visit her website at:
https://alishascroggins.com/?fbclid=IwAR3ZxaJriqysj9IH6TZMLNwaeSm3yIMJltDh-azwa5vl3hISs2gwR8Pqu_I
