Words of Faith: Ralene's story on hope, healing, and believing in God

You Were Meant to Be
A Words of Faith story by Ralene Burke

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb."
~Psalm 139:13 (NKJV)

People often ask me when I started believing in God or when I accepted Jesus as my Savior. It’s hard for me to answer because, in many ways, I have always believed. I don’t really remember a time where I didn’t. Sure, there were times I rebelled or backslid, depending on what term you want to use, but I never stopped believing.

I couldn’t. It wasn’t in me. Why?

Because my very birth and survival were a miracle doctors couldn’t explain.

When I was born, I had a tumor in my neck. In a matter of hours, the tumor swelled to the size of a grown man’s fist in a newborn baby’s neck. I couldn’t swallow. I couldn’t breathe.

The hospital life-flighted me to a bigger hospital. The doctors told my parents that, without surgery, I was going to die. And, even with surgery, there would only be a 50 percent chance I would live. So, at only two days old, I underwent surgery to remove the tumor.

Afterward, I was flown in a helicopter across the country. Recovery followed with three months in the hospital. The doctors were sure that I would be mentally and physically handicapped. They were so sure (95 percent sure, if you want the number), they tried to convince my parents to put me in a state facility where people would be better equipped to take care of me. Of course, my parents refused.

From the day I was born through those first several months, there were so many people praying for me…So many people just pouring out their hearts, asking God for a miracle.

In the months after I left the hospital, my delayed development picked up quickly. By the end of my first year, I was pretty much on track with most other one-year-olds.

"From birth I have relied on you;

you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.

I will ever praise you." ~Psalm 71:6 (NKJV)

Today, you wouldn’t notice too many of the side effects of that surgery. Yes, there was some nerve damage. It paralyzed my left shoulder muscle, my left vocal cord, as well as a few others minor nerves. The one thing most people notice is my raspy voice from only using one vocal cord. If people are around me longer, they might realize I’m limited on how much I can lift and on shoulder movement on the left side.

No mental challenges, though. Unless you count my penchant for taking on too much. Or listening to the voices in my head—I mean, writing fantasy stories.

“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.”~Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

It is by God’s grace alone that I am here today. It’s by His bidding that I have come so far and done so much more than the doctor’s ever anticipated. I remember, upon my high school graduation, my mom and I sent cards to the three hospitals involved with taking care of me at some point throughout my birth and recovery.

God is the Father of Miracles. He calls us to His side, invites us to join in the journey WITH Him. How do I have faith in a fallen world? How can I not? I look around and see all that He has done in the lives of so many people—and it is good.

~*~
Author bio: 

Whether she’s wielding a fantasy writer’s pen, a freelance editor’s sword, or a social media wand, Ralene Burke always has her head in some dreamer’s world. And her goal is to make it SHINE! She has worked for a variety of groups, including Realm Makers, The Christian PEN, Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, and as an editor for a number of freelance clients. Her first novel, Bellanok, was published as a 4-part serial! 

When her head’s not in the publishing world, she is wife to a veteran and homeschooling mama to their three kids. Her Pinterest board would have you believe she is a master chef, excellent seamstress, and all around crafty diva. If she only had the time . . . 

You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, or at her website.

Falling in Love with Jesus: Love Casts Out Fear

Today's Falling in Love with Jesus story is written by Natalie Monk.

She's a multi-talented lady with a heart for Jesus Christ! She expresses her passion for Him in her daily living and His light radiates through her as she interacts with people. I know because I met Natalie in person earlier this year! She's pretty awesome! :)

Enjoy your visit with Natalie now as she shares her story about her first love encounter with Jesus Christ.

~*~

Love Casts Out Fear
A Falling in Love with Jesus story written by Natalie Monk

My first love encounter with Jesus was a little scary.

Not what you expected to hear, right?

Eight years old, leaving a revival meeting service, I’d never had any dealings with the Supernatural, so when I grew overwhelmed with thoughts of God and where I stood with Him, fear swamped me. Nothing major had ever disturbed my “normal.”

My whole life I had heard the message of Christ, how He loved the people of the world so much He died on the cross for our sins and rose from the grave three days later. But things of God were never personal to me.

Why was I so troubled now?

Something was horribly wrong. With me. With my relationship to God.

I didn’t want to talk about it, but to reassure myself, I tugged on my mom’s sleeve and declared to her that I was “saved.” See, I remembered “asking Jesus to save me” when I was three, because that’s what good boys and girls are supposed to do. I said the words. I did the thing. I was okay, right?

Now I laugh at my desperate grasp at normalcy, suddenly blurting that I was okay. I actually believed myself (or I “would be okay, if everyone would just ignore this weirdness and let things be normal again”), but Momma was smarter than that. I’m sure she noticed my pale lips and fidgety hands. She told me we would talk as soon as she bid the church people goodbye.

My stomach churned while I waited. I’d blabbed, now I’d HAVE to talk.

When we climbed up in my Daddy’s farm truck to head home, I slid onto the front seat and between Momma and Daddy. I was hopeful that once I told them I’d done the “saved” thing when I was three, they’d leave me alone about it and things could go back to normal. Maybe we could get a hamburger or ice cream or something—except if I ate anything right then I’d lose it all over those red cloth seats.

Momma asked me to tell her about when I was “saved.” I didn’t have much to tell except that I’d said the “right” words.

Then Momma had to go and ask the hard questions: Was God working in my heart back then when I was three or did I just say the “saved” words because I thought it was something good to do? Did I realize I was born a sinner and needed a savior (the whole reason Jesus came to earth to save us from eternal death and separation from Him)?

That’s when my façade broke down and tears popped up. I told her I didn’t know those things before, but they sure were true now. I didn’t fully comprehend God working so sweetly in my heart, showing me how much I needed Him and how He loved me and wanted me to know Him. (I understand now this was the conviction of the Holy Spirit.)

Momma, being sensitive to the ways of children and knowing how easy it is to “make a decision” to please others, asked me if I thought I needed to pray right then and give my heart to Jesus or if I could wait.

I told her I could wait. Why, I’m not sure. Maybe I still held out hope that I could ignore all this and feel better soon.

Five minutes later I told her I couldn’t wait anymore. I was so bothered inside at not being right with God. I prayed sincerely and asked God to forgive my sins and come into my heart. I didn’t say perfect words at a fancy church altar. In fact, we’d pulled into a lumber company’s dirt driveway—nothing religious about that.

But God was there. He heard my heart. And the burden He lifted from me was so real, the peace and relief so sweet. He changed me then and has been working in me ever since, drawing, pursuing, and persuading me to be more like Him and love like Him. I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m thankful He’ll always be my Loving Guide.

Do you know Him? 

~*~
Author bio:

Natalie Monk writes historical romance stories of laughter, love, and redemption. A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Natalie is currently seeking representation and plotting her third novel. 

Natalie is a homeschool graduate, a piano teacher, portrait photographer, devotional speaker and former post-hole digger. 

She loves sweet tea, book talk, porch swings, and watching musicals and action movies with her family. 

Connect with Natalie:

Website: www.nataliemonk.com 

Twitter: @NatalieDMonk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nataliemonkauthor
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/nataliedmonk