I'm very excited to let you know that one of my long term clients, Kathy Christian, has just become engaged. Her fiance', Joe Locke, proposed last weekend over dinner at the top of the Amway Grand, the swankiest restaurant in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kathy has a lovely ring on her finger and a grin a mile wide.
Of course couples become engaged every day - so why am I writing about this one? Well, to really understand the significance of this event you need to know a bit about Kathy's history. She has been my client for fifteen years, and has suffered with her eating disorder for nearly twenty. The fact that she has survived that long of a battle puts her in elite company already. But there is more: Kathy has a severe abuse history, probably one of the ugliest I've ever encountered. About eight years ago she had to cut off all contact with her family in order to keep herself safe. In fact "Christian" is an assumed name, one she chose after she committed her life to Jesus Christ.
As is true for all of us who call ourselves Christians, her life did not magically get better once she took the step to commit her life to Christ. In fact it was her family's anger at that decision, and her father's rageful attack of her, that brought her abusive past to light. After seven years of therapy and numerous hospitalizations, I finally understood the reason that she'd not been able to recover. Once the reality of her situation became clear to me she was both ashamed and in fear for her life. What followed is a story we hope to publish one day, because all of the twists and turns read like something out of "Law and Order - Special Victims Unit". Suffice it to say that she is extremely lucky to be alive.
She has experienced PTSD, depression, anxiety, and numerous medical complications from her eating disorder. Although she had made steps towards recovery over the past months and years, each step forward was often followed by a half a step back. She despaired of living her life the way it was unfolding, and especially hated the idea of living alone. I often told her that it would take a loving, caring partner in order for her to heal completely from the trauma of her past. And I assured her that such a man existed, at the same time I prayed that I wasn't misleading her in that belief.
And then Joe came into her life. He is everything I would have wanted, and that Kathy has needed, to complete her life. She has made unbelievable progress forward just in the past three months, and as she does, her medical complications continue to resolve. Right now they are making plans for a summer wedding; and I'm proud to say I'll be walking her down the aisle.
So you see, dreams can come true . . . miracles do happen . . . and when the road seems dark, if you trust in God, he really will bring you through. When Kathy doubted God in the past, I often reminded her of the promise in Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". Congratulations Kathy and Joe, and may God give you a long and happy life together. You deserve it! Until next time, Gail
I have related the true stories of thirty very stunning small and big miracles from my own life in
SMALL MIRACLES - ISBN 1598001000
Outskirts Press.
http://www.outskirtspress.com/smallmiracles
Posted by: askin ozcan | April 04, 2008 at 11:13 AM