Tag: Life

Happy 2020!!!

Happy New Year everyone. As we move into a new year, my Facebook Lives will be hosted on my The Blessed Overcomer Facebook Page. I encourage everyone to follow me on that page. Some amazing plans are going to unfold this new year. I cannot wait to continue sharing the story God has given me with the world.

I pray everyone is excited about the possibilities 2020 will bring each of us. There will definitely be some challenges as we navigate this new year. I encourage you to hold on and reach out to God during those storms. But I believe 2020 is also going to be filled with Miracles, Healing and Revival. Are you excited? I am. Are you ready? I am. Let’s go! ~OC

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Peace and Love

Life can be filled with a lot of hate. Turn on the news. Check in on social media. It is hard to escape all the hate we encountered this year.

As we begin a new day, I want to put out a challenge. I challenge each of us to seek Peace & Love as we enter a new day. Let our hearts be filled with Peace & Love. Let our words be filled with Peace & Love. Let our actions be filled with Peace & Love. Let our social media pages be filled with Peace & Love. Let our homes be filled with Peace & Love. Let our workplaces be filled with Peace & Love. Let our neighborhoods be filled with Peace & Love. Let our places of worship be filled with Peace & Love. This challenge may not always be easy, but I believe it can be accomplished. Why? Because we get to choose Peace & Love. Each day we make the choice how we will treat people. Each day we make the choice how we let people treat us. Let us make today the day Peace & Love reigns. Are you up for the challenge? ~OC

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How To Help

During my 17 year crazy beautiful health journey, I was often asked how people could help Laura and I. Here are a few suggestions:

Stay in Contact: Nothing brightens a patient’s day more than hearing from friends. It could be a phone call, visit or a simple text. Even when I could not eat or drink, I loved the interaction with friends. So never be afraid to call that loved one or friend. Also the doctors have shared keeping a person’s mind active is very important. So, when you are thinking about someone, take that opportunity to reach out to them. Do not miss out on a beautiful memory.

Remember to Check On The Caregiver: The caregiver can get lost during the journey. As my caregiver, Laura had the toughest job. Working full-time and taking care of me could be overwhelming. And remember, she did this for over 17 years. So, make sure you are asking about the caregivers physical, mental and emotional well-being. One of my main concerns during my journey, was that Laura take care of herself and enjoy life. A caregiver can always use a night out.

Don’t Start a Pity Party: Dealing with health issues is tough enough. At times people want to go crawl in a hole and isolate. Don’t let them do it. Offer some words of encouragement. Get them out of the house. Go make some memories. My journey was a tough one, but so many people had it tougher than me. Remember, a lady gave birth in a tree. True story!

Just listen: Sometimes hurting people just need someone to listen. Not to fix. Not to have all the answers. Just listening is a beautiful gift.

Be Flexible: The one thing about illness is everyday is different. My health issues bought new challenges each day. Sometimes each hour. So be flexible when dealing with a family member or friend struggling with health issues.

Learn About the Illness: Some people are dealing with illnesses we have never heard of, but asking questions and maybe a quick Google search can help. This can help you better support that loved one. Just don’t believe everything you read online.

Be Available: People dealing with health issues face different challenges. So be available to help when possible. That help could come in the form of bringing someone meals, sitting with someone during their treatment, visiting them in the hospital or transportation. For years, I could not drive based on my health issues. So, having rides to my appointments were important. I am thankful for my team of drivers during my journey. Getting out of the house and enjoying live is so important.

The Long Haul: Be there for your family and friends. Did I ever think my journey would last 17 years? No way! But what I learned was that some friends put an expiration date on how long they could endure my new normal. Having friends that have stuck it out and supported me has been a true blessing.

Acceptance: Stop comparing who someone was before they got sick, to the person they are now. Simply accept that who someone was and who they are now has changed. So when that family member or friend has a life changing experience, embrace the new them.

I hope this helps. There is really not a blueprint for this stuff. So don’t beat yourself up, if you say or do the wrong thing. The most important thing you can do is be present and engaged. ~OC

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Words Matter

Today’s a new day! Our words are powerful. Make no mistake. They can inspire and elevate or they can cut down and destroy. A seemingly simple comment, without consideration, can devastate and once it’s out there you can never get it back. ~OC

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Don’t Mess With My Miracle

As I continue to walk in my miracle, the enemy is not happy. He is constantly telling me my healing is not real. Or he tells me I am not worthy of Jesus healing and blessings.

You see the enemy loves to play games with us. He doesn’t want us living in victory. The enemy wants us to doubt the healing power of Jesus. The enemy wants us to believe miracles ended when Jesus went to be with his Father in Heaven.

But as live out this incredible miracle, Jesus reminds me that my suffering went well beyond the mild discomfort of a stubbed toe. Jesus reminds me that I was at deaths door on more than one occasion. Doctors shared I was in the Wasting Stage. They had lost hope.

Then on November 3, 2019 Jesus decided it was time for me to experience His healing. Time to wake up from a 17 year sleep. It was time to start living again. To start thriving.

As I sit hear typing this post, my life will never be the same. It is time to live in victory. Dear Enemy, you cannot still my healing or my joy. ~OC

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Hope

When the world says give up, Hope says try one more time. Keep living in the hope of God. ~OC

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True Identity

Your relationship status doesn’t define you.

Your career doesn’t define you.

Your degree doesn’t define you.

Your social media doesn’t define you.

Your wealth doesn’t define you.

Your past doesn’t define you.

Your true worth is found in Jesus Christ alone. ~OC

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A New Chapter

As many of you know, I experienced an incredible miracle on November 3,2019. After not being able to speak without the assistance of a voice amplifier and being on a feeding tube for several years, I experienced healing at a Prayer & Healing Encounter. I have not had to use my feeding tube or voice amplifier since that night. God is good!

I have shared before, that I used to be a long distance runner before getting sick again in 2009. I ran my last official race in March 2009. I literally have not run since that day. I have always had a desire to run again. I even buy new running shoes once a year, in anticipation of running again. Yesterday, I officially signed up for my first race in ten years. On March 21, 2020, I will be running a 5k. I guess I better buy those gold running shoes and start training. See you at the finish line. ~OC

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My Prayers and Thoughts

Good morning! So as I sit in this hospital room, here are some of my prayers and thoughts.

I pray my beautiful bride is resting and wakes up feeling great.

I pray that some dear family and friends who are sick, will experience complete healing.

I pray for all the Caregivers taking care of a loved one.

I pray The Holy Spirit will take over South Florida. Revival come!

I pray I will be the best husband, friend and disciple of Jesus that I can be through Him.

I pray for everyone in the military and all First Responders. And their families.

I pray for peace.

I pray for all the leaders. I pray their hearts and minds would be changed by God.

I pray for the victims of human trafficking. I pray they will be rescued and their lives will be completely restored. I pray for all the organizations fighting this horrible crime. I pray their needs will be met. Most importantly, I pray their hearts and motives are pure.

I pray for all churches, pastors, missionaries and ministries. May they truly be the hands and feet of Jesus.

I pray God will allow me to do more for everyone I come in contact with during the day.

I pray for all the patients, nurses, doctors and staff at Good Sam. Give each the strength they need today.

I pray for our schools, students, teachers, staff and administrators. I pray God would bless and protect each.

I pray I will not get in the way of what God wants to do in my life.

Here are some of the thoughts going through my crazy beautiful mind this morning:

What races will I run in 2020, if God allows me to run again? It has been almost 11 years since I last ran.

If God blesses me with the ability to run again, that means I could return to the workforce. Where would I work? Who would hire a 50 something guy who has not worked in almost 11 years, but has an incredible crazy beautiful story? Would I go on the speaking circuit? Would I look at working at a church or ministry of some kind? Would I work at a school or university? Would I be a Greeter at Walmart?

Yes, those are some of the crazy thoughts that go through my mind a lot of morning’s. I just want to be ready for whatever God has prepared for me. Even if that means never running another race or never being able to return to work, I will be obedient and thankful.

Have a wonderful and blessed day. ~OC

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