by C.J. Peterson
It may surprise some of you to know that a few years ago, I went septic. This was a result from a nick in the bowel from a surgery. The doctor was unaware of it at the time of surgery. As a matter of fact, it took them almost a week to figure it out. I was in and out of the hospital during that time, but it was never caught. Finally, about five days later, I was in emergency surgery in full kidney and liver failure, and fifty percent cardiac failure. The prognosis was grim. I even had to be resuscitated on the operating table. I was in the critical care ICU for over a week, and then the ICU for another two weeks. Afterward, I was still in the hospital for another week or so. Life as we knew it to that point was forever changed.
People were praying around the clock. My husband and sister switched twelve-hour shifts until I was out. I had several tubes in my body, pulling the toxic “gunk” out. They would be with me for two months. My body was swollen beyond normal. I was on an antibiotic that was a last resort. My immunity system was shot. Sleep was rare. Food was not on my menu for almost three weeks. The surgeon had to cut my abs in half to get into my abdominal area to clean out everything. I had an ileostomy for three months, which the doctor was able to reverse…after cutting my abdominal area in half once again. I could not life more than five pounds for over nine months. There are still health issues connected with this incident.
I tell you all of this to explain how great God is. You see, I should have died that day in August of 2016. If I did, the Divine Legacy Series would not have been published, The Journey Is Real Podcast would not be up and going, The Journey To Fruitfulness Blog would not be published and ongoing, and those lives each one of those mediums have touched, would be missing out on the words each one of these mediums produce.
You see, what looked to be bad, God used for good. Jeremiah 29:11, it says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Had God taken me home that day, both my husband and I would have been hurt to be separated, but we both know we would have seen each other again.
God had a different plan, though. His plan included us moving to, and initiating, Serenity Acres Apiary. It included all of the above mediums. It included those teens we were able to reach and touch the hearts of since this happened. It included me and my husband to still able to be together here on this earth to serve The King.
The Lord God Almighty gave us ALL a hope and a future in the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we celebrated just this past Sunday. In this life we are never promised to not suffer, but we ARE promised that Jesus will be with us whatever we are going through. Even now, as the entire world fights each day for hope, as we lose each person to this pandemic, to car accidents, to violence, to cancer, to whatever takes their life, we must still hold onto that hope! Hope in Jesus brings us light! Hope brings us life! Never lose hope!
Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
About the Author:
I was raised in a Christian military home, but it was far from tranquil. Like many young people, I left home as soon as possible, and went my own way, thinking I knew better. To me anything was better than where I was. Unfortunately, some of the choices I made led me away from the Lord, and sometimes that path was a dangerous one.
God is faithful, even when His children are lost and wandering. When I needed Him most, the Lord was there for me. He led me out of that danger and into a new life…a life where I am loved and appreciated. He taught me what ‘real love’ is, and what it’s supposed to look like through my family and wonderful husband.
Who knew that “Prince Charming” actually existed? I hoped and prayed he was out there, and I found him! He is a 24 year Navy veteran and the love of my life! With his encouragement, I rediscovered the creativity I thought I had lost a long time ago, and have begun to publish the books I have written through the years. The words in these books helped me through my struggles, and my prayer is they will help others.
The way in which I write my Christian Books, is unique to say the least. I am a realistic Christian. People are people, they stumble, they fall, they trip, but God continues to dust us off, and set us back on the path again, if we just learn to trust in Him.
The challenges faced in my past give me a perspective on the realities of living the Christian life that some people may never see. There are times we wander away from God…there are times when we draw closer to Him. In our arrogance we think we can make it on our own. However, the One who made this world, and who made you, has the answers, and thankfully, He forgives our impudence and petulance and loves us through it all. God is a God of love, mercy, grace, and guidance. He loves us and only wants the best for us.
Those who have read my books, describe them as encouraging, frustrating, and a wonderful read all at the same time. The same character that could have you crying one minute, will have you cheering the next! One of my editors, stated that ‘she was so into the story, that she forgot to edit, and had to go back to do the editing’.
I pray you will enjoy my books as well!
While the stories are fiction, the journey is real.
Visit CJ’s website – http://cjpetersonwrites.com/
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