In the summer of 1970, I had a near-death experience. I was almost a victim of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning; but, thank God, I was discovered in time. The only memory I have of that event was coming to consciousness in a hospital and trying to get up but a huge nurse held me down and told me I had to wait because I would be dizzy.
It reminds me of the day my life was changed. A couple weeks after my experience, I decided to finish the job and put to death the old me. I gave my life to Christ, and the focus of my life changed.
Once I became His, I could never be the way I was before. Oh no!
Now it is not I, but it is Christ living in me.
My focus changed that day; but it took time, and is still taking time, to become more like Christ and less like me. He uses life experiences and the people I come in contact with to rub off the old Jerri and make the new Jerralea. I'm a work in progress, but I can truly say, I'm changed because of You, because now I live by faith.
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This post was written in response to Writer's Workshop prompt 2. Take a line from a song you love and turn it into the title of your next blog post. Let the content follow. My favorite song is "I'm Changed," by Travis Cottrell, and you know me, I can't resist sharing a YouTube song!
[Subscribers will need to click through to my blog to see the video.]
Wonderfully said Jerralea!
ReplyDeleteSo, did you see heaven or Jesus in your near death experience?
ReplyDeleteMaybe one day I will tell you my story...thank you for sharing, Jerralea. Blessings
ReplyDeleteI never had a near death experience, but I did experience a change.. a rebirth, or whatever you want to call it. It happened when my father passed away in 2005. It changed me. Forever. I know what you mean when you say this. You are never the same. I think with my dad's passing it prepared me for many other deaths and trials that I would experience for the next 8 years. That of losing my mother and in 2013 a beloved daughter from an act of domestic violence. I had to turn my entire life, my faith and trust over to God. It has brought remarkable peace, comfort, love, and healing that I would not have ever experienced otherwise. I have grown. I have learned lessons. My faith has increased. My love is broader. My compassion runs deeper. My hope is in the Lord. I love Him! Just like you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your inspiring post. Loved it!
Oh how I love personal testimonies and you have quite a story! Praise God he caught your attention and saved you!
ReplyDeleteI never have had a near death experience but I so remember that clean, new feeling in my mind and soul the day I accepted Jesus when I was 15. thanks for sharing your thoughts!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post. How scary for you to find yourself in the hospital like that! Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story. It is amazing... I'm so glad you survived that and are here today! Your story is amazing, a wonderful testimony that is an inspiration to me- and I'm sure I don't speak alone.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a blessed weekend, Jerralea :)
Blessings,
Jazzmin
Wow! What a scary near death experience. It's amazing the things that happen that bring us closer to God, but it's never that easy. I think it takes a lot of work to maintain that connection. How quickly we forget why we were drawn in to begin with.
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