I lost my wife and daughter to a drunk driver 36 years ago, and afterward, I had all sorts of problems sleeping as I was having nightmares and such.
My friends decided to take me out to get my mind off things, and I had too much to drink, but I slept. Big mistake, and it wasn't long before I had an addiction.
Eventually, I realized I had a problem and made a concerted effort to stop it, and this went on for a couple of years. I had stopped for two weeks and felt a little confident until I drove by a bar, went around the block, and pulled in.
I had half a can of beer and left in disgust with myself. I went home and said to myself, "I guess this is all I'm going to be now is a drunk the rest of my life," and I just broke down crying for a good half hour.
It was the Thursday before Easter; I watched the religious movies, then fell asleep on my couch and dreamed that I was hovering above the sand.
I was moving toward something in the distance, and the closer I got to it, the faster I was moving until I was driving at what felt like the speed of light. That little dark ball in the distance grew into a crowd of people around something (a crucifix).
And then I became very afraid, and boom! It was me on the cross, and I felt like I was hit with a thunderbolt.
I fell off the couch and stayed up a while trying to figure this dream out.
Easter came and went, and then I realized something. I had absolutely no desire to drink at all, but I wasn't buying it until a little more time passed, and I was talking to my mother and noticed a birthmark on the palm of my left hand that wasn't there before.
About six years ago, I was having trouble, and I felt this strong compulsion to share my story, which I haven't until then because I couldn't make any sense of it, and I now realize it's not supposed to be something I can understand. Praise God!
So I contacted a pastor and sent him my story with a picture of my birthmark, and when I opened it in my image app, I must have had it zoomed to 250 percent the last time I used it.
Happened to see the birthmark close up, and guess what? There's a little cross that I didn't know was in there.
Jesus Christ did this over 25 years ago for me, and I didn't even deserve it, nor did I ask.
If that isn't love, I don't know what is. I'm still confused and alone in the world, and I have many struggles, but I'm sober and grateful for it.
In fact, not only did he completely take it away, I couldn't have done it if I wanted to; the smell of it makes me sick to my stomach. So I'm putting this out there for anyone who doubts or struggles with their faith.
Know this: Jesus Christ is real, and even though I didn't need him to do this for me to love him because I already did, I love him so much more now.
Believe and pray. Be kind, love one another, love God more than anything, and cling to him. Praise Jesus!
Ralph: United States
Birthmark in the Shape of a Cross
Why is it so difficult for our educators and society, in general, to understand that love and respect for one another taught from a young age can solve much of the world's hostility and social problems!
"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it" (Prov 22:6).
Love is the answer!
True loyalty springs from the heart and is wrapped in love. It is often in our most private moments that true loyalty, or the lack of it, is made known.
Sharing the
Message Of Jesus
Oct 12, 24 07:22 PM
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Samuel L Mills
PO Box 4456
Maryville, TN 37802