Behold, all souls are mine… Ezekiel 18:4 NIV
In one year, six months apart, I nearly died and did die.
I survived a pancreatic attack. The doctors came in the hospital and gravely gave me the bad news: “Because of your damaged gallbladder, your pancreas has misfired, and many of your cells were destroyed. We need to remove your gallbladder and cut off the dead cells from the healthy cells. We believe what is left over will keep you alive.”
They operated.
First, they removed the gallbladder, but then when they came to the pancreas, they were in for a surprise. The pancreas was perfectly healed and beautiful as if nothing had happened. A day later I came home, a little sore, but healed.
But six months later I died.
I live in Florida in a golf cart friendly neighborhood. I was taking my dog to the dog park when she suddenly jumped out. I panicked and tried to grab her, but in the process, I fell out of the cart. My dog was fine, but I wasn’t. I fractured my skull on the pavement.
A lady came around the corner and noticed a man pick me up from the road and lay me on grass. He then silently walked away. She had never seen him before or since. Was this an angel?
She called 911. In the ambulance, I coded.
The nurses said I died and they had struggled to bring me back. My brain was swollen, my skull fractured, my ribs broken and I was bleeding internally. The doctors told my husband: “I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but it doesn’t look good for your wife. Her brain’s damaged. We don’t expect her to remember much, she might have to learn things over again, and she might not be able to walk or use her limbs.”
He was heartbroken. An army of prayer warriors set up camp and lifted my name to the Living God.
It was a struggle coming back.
I used a walker for a while, slowly took myself off the meds and worked hard on physical therapy. I don’t remember anything about the accident. I can walk, talk, laugh, cry, and even write. I can’t multi-task like I use to and I am a little slower in getting things done, but they get done. After six months my doctor said, “Chris, I don’t think you understand the brevity of what happened to you. When something like this happens to most people they just give up and die. You didn’t die. Trust me. It’s nothing short of a miracle.”
For years I lived in fear of what I would do when things changed. How would I handle change in my body, sickness, and even death? I’m not afraid anymore. Life changes, but God doesn’t. He always remains the same. I can say with confidence; the Lord is our strength and will see us through any and everything that happens. He’s got our back because we belong to the Lord.
God is faithful.
How about you? How has the Lord shown you His faithfulness in your life?
If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:8 NIV
Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! I am God. And there is no other. Isaiah 45:22 NIV
SURVIVOR
A bird in a nest
A child leaving home
A sick woman
All must survive
Weakness
Suffering
Pain
Without survival – death
Take away struggle
We remain weak
Remove our trouble
We learn nothing
Hard knocks
Knock us
Right side up
It’s not survival of the fittest
But survival of the faithful
Sin
Brings death
Forgiveness
Ushers in eternal life
The path God sets out for us is good
Leads to safety
Leads to Survival
Leads to Him
Grasp hold of Life
Scream aloud
To the World
“No matter what happens
I’m a survivor!
I’m in good hands!
Our God reigns!”
Chris Malkemes
Latest posts by Chris Malkemes (see all)
- God is Faithful and We Belong to Him - April 11, 2017
- Oh What a Great Love - December 13, 2016
- To Journal or Not to Journal? - June 14, 2016
Chris, I am only just now getting your whole story, and I am in awe! Thank you for letting God use the good, the bad, and the ugly all together in your life to present a whole and beautiful work of art to the world for His glory! You have certainly put the spotlight on God’s faithfulness today!
Thank you. I am so humbled. If just one person will be encouraged then it’s worth it.
So good to see your sweet face and sweet words here! God is truly faithful! What a testimony to His miraculous healing! And the story of the man who picked you up and laid you on the grass! Wow! Gives me cold shivers! I remember praying for you when your accident happened. I know it’s been a long road back but we are so thankful that God healed you and is using you for His glory!
Thank you for your prayers. I appreciate it. I always look forward to your posts too.
Chris you are amazing. Your testimony of God’a goodness is amazing! You encourage me with your poem, especially when you say, “It’s not survival of the fittest
But survival of the faithful.” Bless you!
Kelly, the funny thing is that I wrote that poem years before the accident. Isn’t it amazing how He prepares us. I guess I could have used this Scripture to support the poem: To the faithful you show yourself faithful… Psalm 18:25 NIV
Thank you. It has been a treasure getting to know you too. I am in awe of His faithfulness. I like how your words weave the truth in the work of His hand in our life: whole and beautiful.
Wow, Chris! So glad God had his hand on you and raised you up to be such an encourager to others. Many blessings to you!
Thank you Gayl. How are you doing? You too are an encourager and a blessing. Someday I would like to meet you. We would have so much to share over dinner and talk the night away.
I’m doing well. Thank you for your kind words. I would love to meet you. Yes, I think we’d have plenty to keep us talking a long time. 🙂 Blessings!
Wow! You are a walking testimony! Praise God!
In many ways, we are all walking testimony of His grace, faithfulness and care. I love this old term in the church: “do I have a witness?” because God’s hand moves and those moving with Him will find it. You’re a blessing. Thank you for your comments.
Oh Sista bear I remember this day and the ones after very well, and how God performed miracles over and over again, no one can deny we witnessed only what He could do as prayers were lifted up 24/7 on your behalf.
Sweet Ready Writer your work is not finished, only when you have completed your purpose will you get to fly away and sail home sweet heaven.
Love you dearly thank you for sharing too.
Little Lizzy your sister.
Hey, little sister. Good to see you here. Thank you for your prayers and support. You’re a treasure.