Life is hard. Kindness, courage, and love will help you prosper.
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!
8:26a – didn’t sleep well.
Woke with a headache. Eyes hurt.
11:42p- Headache most of day. Not sure if it was triggered by bright lights
and loud noise at skating party or trying to learn new things. Watching Homeschool Summit videos this week. Also trying to learn how to blog.
May 4, 2018
Psalm 121:1-2 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
Thankful that God still works
miracles. When we are facing what seems to be an impossible feat, our best
action is to stop and take a moment to look up. Look up to our Heavenly Father
who has the power to accomplish the unexpected.
11:55pm – Field trip to Hot Air Balloon Festival in Foley,
AL. We shared a charry Italian ice. Kids got to ride a Segway. We slowly walked the booths. We got to watch Disconnected-Dogs K9 Frisbee
show. Kids got autographed Frisbees and
pictures with Riley. Ended evening by
eating at Cici’s pizza with Dad for dinner.
Had enjoyable day.
Loud noises caused headache. Rt ear hurts. Hypersensitive to
lightning. Rt hip throbbing. Rt foot hurts. Rt back of neck knotted and
throbbing. Aweful in lft leg just above the ankle area. Feels like something is cutting my skin with
piece of broken glass. Area where it
hurts is slightly swollen. Nothing there
to indicate that the skin has been broken.
Anything that touches that area increases the pain.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give
I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the
world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the
world.
Thankful that no matter what is
going on around us we can have peace of mind that Jesus is always near.
🎶There’s a peace
in my heart that the world never gave,
A peace it cannot take away;
Though the trials of life may surround like a cloud,
I’ve a peace that has come here to stay!
Refrain:
Constantly abiding, Jesus is mine;
Constantly abiding, rapture divine;
He never leaves me lonely, whispers, oh, so kind:
“I will never leave thee”—Jesus is mine. 🎶
🎶I have a peace
in my heart that the world never gave me and a peace it cannot take away. An
everlasting peace and I know that it’s here to stay. 🎶
Hebrews 4:14-16
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high
priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in
all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come
boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.
Thankful
that one ounce of the Lord’s mercy is greater than a mountain of the world’s
comforts.
7:53a – Overdid yesterday…chest hurting severely…kept me up
12:07a- In a lot of pain…costochondritis fair up is kicking
me in butt. Feels like someone is
stabbing me in chest with sharp knife and sometimes twisting…not able to do
much without extreme pain. Lord, please
ease the pain so I can go to church. I
need some sleep to be at my best for tomorrow.
Thank you, Lord.
7:11a- I think I slightly overdid it yesterday. Woke to calves throbbing, hands swollen,
fingers tingling, toes tingly, slight headache, stuffy nose, lower back aches,
rt hip hurts. Rt ear hurts.
If only I could start stretches or something to loosen up my
muscles. They feel so tight all the
time.
10:33- I hurt so bad right now my eyes are watering involuntarily. Another costochondritis flair up! Over did it.
Walking too much and pushing buggy.
Had to ask for help bc I couldn’t even push it over threshold of
doorway.
Microwave died tonight.
Pew!! I can’t hear up my heating
pad. Oils only help for a little while.
April 26, 2018
John 10:9-11
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in
and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill,
and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have
it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life
for the sheep.
Thankful
that God always keeps His promises. He has so much more for us if we will only
trust Him and obey.
April 27, 2018
9:55a- Getting rid of migraine…
*Naproxen
Naproxen
Ice pack on back of neck for 15 min
Peppermint oil – 1 drop under tongue
Peppermint tea
EO Pain Rub – roll on back of neck, temples, forehead
Grape Juice
Handful of nuts
Aspirin
Tylenol
Epsom Salt Baths
Handful of nuts
Drink 16 oz. water
1:46pm – I’ve had a bad headache for third day now…can’t seem to shake
it. Rt eye periodically twitching.
5:00p- Headache finally gone after drinking a glass of warm grape
juice.
Left ankle hurts like I sprained it.
Rt ankle swollen and throbbing.
Vision feels foggy. Rt hip
throbbing. Both legs ache. Entire back throbs when I laid down. Didn’t lay down for long. My rt arm started getting hot during evening
service. It’s not red, but feels like it
has a temperature.
9:41- Rt calf is cramping bad.
April 23, 2018
1 John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he
that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Thankful
that focusing on God’s faithfulness allows our fears to dissolve and gives us
courage to keep moving forward.
10:08a- Woke up exhausted. Had bad dreams. Rt toes very cold.
10:10p- Stuttering a lot today, tripping over my words.
Toes tingly, Fingers
tingly. Tried to do liver cleanse
drink. Cayenne pepper causing inside
chest & esophagus to burn. Tummy feels bloated.
Rt hips hurts. Calves feel heavy
after walking a bit. Tire out
easily. Trouble staying focused on one
task.
April 24, 2018
9:35a- Bp 168/131 hr 102 (198/131 hr 102) Temp 98.1 Arms tingly and aching. Slight
headache. Rt hip aches. Calves ahce.
Toes cold. Forget where I was
going in conversation. Lft ear hurt a
little.
11:48p- Pins & needles sensation in both forearms, hands, and upper
back. Toes freezing. Lower legs ache. Slight headache.
How does one attempt to live a godly life when you live in a
wicked sinful world? Where there seems
to be evil doings everywhere you turn…people have replaced God with whatever
suits their fancy; God’s name is taken in vain even by those who call
themselves Christian; Sunday services are no longer important; children
disrespect and even hate their parents; killings everywhere; selfish pleasures
come before serving others; there is lack of respect for other and their
belongings; dishonesty is viewed as okay as long as it is for the greater good;
immorality is praised everywhere we go; and you better keep up with the Jones
in order to be happy. This is not
godliness.
Webster’s Dictionary defines godliness as “believing
in God and in the importance of living a moral life”. Godliness in the Bible is basically
an active obedience that springs from a reverent awe of God.
It is virtually impossible to build a godly life without a foundation built on Jesus Christ. To practice godliness, we must first develop a relationship with God, and further practice a life that is pleasing to God. Our view of God and our relationship with Him will be portrayed in our behavior.
Psalm 23:1-2
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
The word “rest” is
mentioned 265 times in the Bible. The Hebrew word for rest is “nuach”
– which means to rest, to be quiet. God knows that we need to take time out for
rest and restoration especially from the influences of a fallen world.
In the midst of our busy
lives, whether working a job, taking care of kids, studying for finals, or
burdened with a heavy load, God wants us to take time to rest in His care. We
are human and it’s necessary to take time to rest not only physically and
emotionally, but also spiritually.
If we refuse to take the
necessary time for rest, it will only lead to a discontented, distrusting, unsatisfied
life. Resting in the Lord will bring refreshing peace and give us strength to
face the next task ahead.
Let’s learn to depend on the Shepherd’s provision, guidance, and protection. In doing so, we will renew our strength (Isaiah 40:31), be encouraged (Joshua 1:9), increase our faith (Romans 10:17), remind ourselves that we are loved (John 3:16), energize our hope (Psalm 31:24), and glorify Him (Zephaniah 3:17; John 10:7-10).
I hurt so bad all over.
Exhausted…only slept 4 ½ hours.
Going to try to get a little more sleep.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give
I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Thankful
that no matter how chaotic the world may seem around us we can have peace in
our souls by simply asking. The most peaceful place to be is with Jesus.
9:04a- Rough night. Woke at 2am
& 3:30am. Had to get up at 5:30am to
take Joe to work. Went back to bed. Fell asleep until 8am.
Rt hip hurts, heart feels like its racing, chest feels tight &
sore, but pain seems to be easing a
little. Tired much today.
Joe came home earlier than normal. Decided to go bowling as family. I
sat and watch. Didn’t want to have a
relapse.
Rt hip & leg throbbing. Rt
ankle hurts. Back feels achy.
Had interesting few days. I was
feeling fairly well on Friday (one of my better days since my lightning strike)
so I decided to do a few extra chores around the house (wash dishes, couple
extra loads of wash, vacuum my room).
Later that evening, news update indicated that a severe storm was
heading our way on Saturday with possible tornado warning. I decided to help the kids pick up the yard
while my hubby brought in the newer fridge (which by the way quit working L).
By Saturday morning I was really hurting!!! Took it kind of easy most of day. Had trouble falling asleep due to pain. Woke at 3am Sunday morning in excruciating
pain! I suspected I was having a
costochondritis flair up, but was a little concerned it was more. Told my hubby that if I wasn’t feeling better
I would call Dr Monday morning.
At Dr’s visit today, my bp was
168/103. Praise my temp is back to
normal – 98.6! After examinations, Dr
confirmed that I was having a costochondritis flair up and have sinusitis. When she pressed on center of my chest, it
hurt so bad it caused me to cry. This in
turn caused her to think I was depressed and suggested antidepressant. I quickly told her I didn’t need it. I was just tired from not being able to sleep
much and hurting. I also told her that I
get emotional when I’m exhausted. So she
gaved me drepression evaluation. I only
got a 3 so that nipped that in the bud.
Huge praise! Needed to run to
Sams since I was near there. Decided to
check pharmacy for price on rx. Both rxs
ended up costing less than what one of rx would’ve been elsewhere. PtL!
I am now home resting and have 2 more medicines to take. Hopefully, I’ll start feeling better again in
a few days.
April 17, 2018
Romans 8:31-32 – What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Micah 7:7 – Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
Thankful that we have a heavenly
Father above with arms full of mercy and a heart full of love. When we are in
the midst of tough season, we can turn to Him for comfort and strength. We can
lean on His everlasting arms and rest in the truth that He will never leave us
nor forsake us (1 Corinthians 13:5)
April 18, 2018
Matthew 28:20b – and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Life is hard. It can be
challenging at times. Every decision we make has consequences regardless of
whether we like them or not.
While we cannot control what happens, we can control how we react to
them.
God sees us right where we are, and He cares about
our deepest needs. We must learn to trust that God knows best and will use even
our deepest hardships to work them “together for good” (Romans 8:28).
No matter what you maybe facing right now, don’t
give up! Allow the Lord to be your light to guide your way, and your salvation
and strength to overcome your circumstances (Psalms 27:1). He wants what’s
best.
🎶Let the Lord
have His way
In your heart every day
There’s no rest, there’s no peace
‘Til the Lord has His way
Place your life in His hands
Rest secure in His plan
Let the Lord, let the Lord
Have His way🎶
Woke with middle and lower back throbbing. Felt like I got beat up. Around 10am, I began feeling flushed from
chest all the way to top of my head.
When I checked in mirror, I looked like I had a severe sunburn!
3:00p- heart feels like its racing.
9:25pm- I can
vouch for the sunny day myth because it was sunny the day I was struck!
