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Heroes & Mentors
Great minds must think alike. . . I have been thinking for a few days about starting a thread about personal heros and/or mentors in my life and in the lives of others and I came on here today to see someone had started one about evangelists that have greatly ministered to people throughout the years. Well, in keeping with that theme, is there anyone who has been a personal hero or mentor in your life? Someone who has been an example to you, someone you've looked up to, someone who has made a major impact on your life?
I have to say that my greatest personal hero is my mom. If there is anyone that has taught me what it means to be steadfast and committed to truth, it's her.
In her very early 20's, she was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureaux). Anyone familiar with this condition knows the excruciating facial pain associated with it. After she and my father were married, she made sure by talking to her doctors that this was not a hereditary condition. SHe has often made the statement that had it been, she would have never had children. I remember as a small girl being awakened by her muffled screams in the middle of the night as she sat in horrible pain, with the low sound of my father's voice as he held her, praying for relief and healing. I remember one particular time where we were coming out of the grocery store and the wind was rather strong. A gust of wind hit her face, triggering her pain and she literally stopped in the parking lot and screaming (well as much as a person can scream without opening their mouth). My dad had to help her to the car. . the looks we got from people that day!
She underwent several brain surgeries whereby they would cut the trigeminal nerve, but it always grew back after a few years. She even had surgery where they went up under the nose to cut the nerve there, but to no avail. She was prayed for by every preacher that came through, but the condition continued. Her pain would become so intense that she would be unable to eat anything that couldn't come up through a straw because opening her mouth more than that was too unbearable. We never knew what kind of day she would have. Some days were tolerable, others were beyond terrible where all she did was lay in her room alternating between screaming and moaning. She became severely addicted to her Tegretol, taking as many as 15+ a day. She at times contemplated suicide but her love for her family, God and the grace of God stopped her. Any time we saw her face twitch, a certain blink to her eye, a pause in whatever she was doing, we all held our breath to see if this was the start of another bout of pain.
But through all of this horror, she never once gave up on God. I'm sure in her human flesh she was angry that this affliction was upon her. But she loved God, stood for Him and His truth, and passed that love and truth on to her children. I think a much lesser person would have railed against God, turned their back on Him and walked away. .even became bitter. She didn't do that. Her love and relationship with God came out all the more stronger. She taught us that despite everything, GOD IS STILL GOD. . no matter what. And He deserves all the praise and glory.
She no longer has trigeminal neuralgia. The doctors went in on her last brain surgery and soldered the ends of her cut trigeminal nerve so it will never grow back. The result? She has no feeling in the right side of her face. . .she doesn't cry out of her right eye. But she's been pain free for approx 20 years. And she's STILL living and serving God.
I'm sure many have stories of people that have been inspirations to them throughout their life. Anyone want to share?
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