Around this time of year, I relate this story. Sorry if you have heard it before, but you will hear it again next year as well. God is so good!

Feb. 15, 2021, a day I will never forget. Now, almost three years later, that is the day that changed my life and set me on a course of re-dedication towards Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.

It is amazing to look back and see the dramatic change in me since that date. However, on Feb. 15, 2021, I was sure my life, as I knew it, was over. Since 2005 I had battled back issues. I had battled back issues the previous two weeks before Feb. 15, 2021, and I was in such bad shape that Deb had to take over my responsibilities on the farm. I had been reduced to a driver.

I had fallen asleep on the couch that night and, about 3 to 4 in the morning, I woke in what I would call the worst pain ever. My back had frozen up. It was spasming continuously. If I took too deep of a breath I cried out in pain. I couldn’t move an inch without being in incredible pain. I couldn’t talk without whispering or it hurt. I couldn’t roll over. I couldn’t get on my side. I literally couldn’t do anything without my pain level being off the charts. Pain charts usually go to 10. I shot by 10 like I had been shot out of a fighter jet.

I told Deb to call an ambulance. If you know me, you know how big of a deal that was in itself. I have dealt with back issues for years. I ruptured discs in my lower back in 2005, and until 2021 I could deal with the consequences of that injury. Deb could put her hand on my lower back and when I moved, she could feel the vertebrae rubbing together. It might take me a few days to recover, but I could always come back. However, this time I knew it was different. I knew I had screwed up big time and I was scared of what my future held.

When the ambulance got here and loaded me up and took off to Buffalo, they took my blood pressure and did all of their preliminary stuff, and I noticed a concerned look on the EMT’s face. It turns out because of my back injury my blood pressure was 270/180. That was a little disconcerting to me and to them. It stayed that way even for long enough at the hospital that they were afraid I was going to stroke out.

Finally, after some pain pills and higher strength blood pressure pills, both my pain levels and my blood pressure started to come down a little, and the PA and the nurses left the room. While my mind was clearing a little and the fog was lifting, reality started to set in.

My dad was in horrible health, partly because of his joints, and his range of movement was severely limited. So much so, that he spent most of his time in his recliner or his motorized scooter.

I was deathly afraid that those circumstances that fell on him were about to fall on me, as well. I started to picture what my life was going to be like, because I already had doctors tell me surgery wasn’t going to fix my problems. I just knew I was going to have a life of assistance, depending on others, not living a life that I wanted to live, and I was going to have to learn to deal with it.

Then I thought of something much better and much more powerful. I cried out to Jesus and asked him to save me. I cried out a heartfelt prayer and instantly he answered me with his presence. It was like his presence was at the foot of the bed and the tension in my back and in my head eased. He asked me a question. He said, “Are you ready to listen to me now?” The question was in a matter of fact tone. I took the tone serious and answered him immediately.

You see I knew of a Jesus. I knew there was a Jesus. I knew what he stood for and I knew the parameters of salvation to be issued to me from him and I believed in him. Yet, I only walked at best ankle deep in my faith. I never turned things over to him. I rarely if ever talked to him. My quiet time and prayer time was almost non-existent. I was something I wasn’t supposed to be.

As soon as I answered his question he was gone. A couple of hours later my readings at least became more normal and eventually I was discharged that morning. I was so sore for several days and after a couple of days of using a cane to steady myself, I was able to go back to work and get back to routine life. You can’t explain my recovery any other way. God laid his hands on my back and he healed me.

I could write pages about that day. However, the moral of the story is Jesus healed me when I fully submitted to him. He took away my pain and healed my back. I have no doubt about it.

If you get nothing else from my words today, understand that the healing and the peace that Jesus gave me that day, Feb. 15, 2021, is available to you as well. Whether it is physical or emotional pain you are dealing with, healing is there for you too. You just have to ask the Lord into your heart.

Now, healing looks different to everyone. But I can guarantee you, the worse my back gets these days is a little sore. I haven’t missed a day of work in three years due to my back and that is only because of the blessings of the Lord.

Invite him into your heart and watch the glory of God work in you. In Psalm 18:32, it reads, “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” God didn’t give me a new back but he strengthened me beyond measure. He healed me. Hopefully, in turn, you can see the glory of God in me as well.

Talk to you next week.