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!
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Reaching the world with the message of Jesus
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Samuel L Mills
PO Box 4456
Maryville, TN 37802