Author: Melissa

Hello, my name is Melissa. I grew up as a pastor's kid and am now a pastor's wife. I'm married to Joseph Smith, who is the Pastor of Pine Air Baptist Church in Grand Bay, AL. We have three miracle children here on earth and two in heaven. As of July 18, 2017, God graciously allowed me to survive being struck by lightning. Five years later on March 31, 2022, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer HER2+ and HER2-. Today, I can say, together with God's help, I am an OVERCOMER! Because He lives and His mercies renew every morning, I can say I am a Lightning Survivor, Cancer Warrior, and Daughter of the King!
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Lightning Strikes 1-3 December 2020

Dec 1

700 Guess what!? I was able to stand when I first woke up without any pain in feet. First time since LS. Praise the Lord.

Rt ear itches inside.

900a helped Dezirae with Math best I could. Gave me a headache and I had to rest a while afterwards.

1100p had decent day. Able to get three loads clothes washed. Two loads folded and put away.

Whole body aches. Headache. Low back throbbing. Chest aches. Arms sting. Sinuses acting up. Horrible indigestion. Taken three tums, eaten yogurt, taken 2 ginger caps. Shoulders sting. Legs ache. Lft leg tourniquet tightening feeling with tingling to feet. Lft palm stings. Exhausted. Going to sleep soon hopefully. Skin stinging needle pain. Feet tingly.

Night meds taken.

 

Dec 2

700a woke from deep sleep finally. Not hurting too bad – whole body aches. Upon standing only had sharp pain in left foot for short while.

Kids co-op Christmas party today. Decided to get veggie tray for party too but they were out of stock so got chips instead.

530 dinner was turkey stuffing casserole. Gave me severe indigestion! My sinuses acted up enough to need Tylenol sinus.rx. gerd rx, 2 ginger capsules, 2 tums, glass of milk. Feel like I’m gonna puke.

700p parents invited us to come watch a movie with them on their new tv. Still have indigestion bad.

930 I’ll be glad when I get my gerd rx. Can’t seem to shake the indigestion. Eating yogurt now.

11p still have bad indigestion. Water feels like it’s making it worse. Took another tums. Afraid to take night meds.

Rt hip throbbing worse than toothache. Low back throbbing. Back stings. Legs ache. Skin sensitive & itchy. Feet cold. Lft foot tingling. Lft arm & hand tingle.

Dec 3

Upon waking body aches, tired. Sharp needle pain in lft foot upon standing. Rt hip & low back pain has eased from night before. Indigestion greatly eased. Unsure if I should try to eat anything.

900a decided to try oatmeal for breakfast.

300p able to get caught up on bunch of little things for church. Need to rest a bit before getting ready to go to church. Tired and hurting good amount. Hands stingy throb. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Muscles periodic spasming in back. Feet cold though I have socks on. Legs ache. Headache.

354 out of breath just getting to the car

700 trying to play thru first song but couldn’t get the sharp so I stopped and found it in flats. Started to try to play it but song leader wasn’t paying attention and started talking before I finished first line. Ugh! He announced first hymn. I began playing introduction but didn’t even finish when he started singing. I threw my hands up and told Joe I’m not playing tonight. Got up and walked to my seat. I’m not fighting it anymore. The frustration magnifies my pain to unbearability.

Arms & hands stinging burning. Low back & rt hip throbbing. Brain fogged. Headache. Skin itches. Face & upper chest feels very flushed and hot.

Joe noticed from platform that I look flushed. Must be pretty red. Asked church to pray for me.

Joe felt my forehead after church. Says I’m burning up. Will have to take my temp when I get home.

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My HOPE in the Storm

Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash

Lamentations 3:22-25

It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

What encouraging verses from God’s Word! These became my life verses after I was struck by lightning five years ago. It’s a comfort to know that I can have hope in the Lord even when my world seems dark and topsy-turvy.
We can trust His promises because of His great faithfulness.

When you feel lonely and afraid, you can find peace and comfort through scripture, as well as hope to face each day.

 

Cling to God’s Promises

Hebrews 13:5 tells us that God “will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” When we feel discouraged or overwhelmed by burdens, we can know that God is right there with us. He wants to help; all we have to do is ask.

We can also read in Jeremiah 29:11 that God “know(s) the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” We must understand and believe that God keeps His promises. This can give us the courage and strength for each day. God can deliver us from the feeling of hopelessness.

 

Don’t Quit!

Romans 5:3-5  tells us “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

However difficult a pill it is to swallow, God sometimes allows tribulations to grow our faith or even to chip off some of the rough edges that do not belong in our lives. As long as we look to the Lord for our guidance and strength, He can use the hard times of hopelessness to make us a better person and to give us hope for the future.

Yes, the battle can get burdensome, and you can grow weary in the journey, but don’t despair because God has promised that we shall reap blessings if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

 

 Hope for the best outcome

Romans 8:28 tells us that “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  I know this verse is quoted a lot and perhaps even misused, but God does have our best interests at heart.
The knowledge that God will resolve things for your good gives such amazing hope.

Though sometimes it can be challenging to see, don’t lose hope. Joshua 1:8 encourages us to “be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” God loves you very much and desires to see you succeed. When we determine to follow God’s Word, He will help us through the trials and restore joy in our lives.

“Hope is being able to see the light despite the darkness around you.” Desmond Tutu

You can download and print the Scripture Calendar here:

https://charitymaeprosper.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SJ-Hope-in-the-Storm.pdf

 

 

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