F - FAITHFULLY, A – ANOINTED, C – CHOSEN, & E – EQUIPPED
The Background Story
Since about 6 months after birth, I have been fighting sicknesses and/or injuries for most of my life! I now know that it was my pathway to hospital chaplaincy and living to make a difference in this world. Which has also allowed me the privilege to live in a state of continual, perpetual healings & miracles. A few of my sicknesses and ailments over the years have included:
Ø Losing my sight twice, once at 11 years old and again at 28 years old both were about 6 month long in duration. But at the age of 28 years old, this event was extremely more painful. And the doctor stated that he wasn’t sure if my sight would return. But His healing miracles was provided, again!
Ø At times I would become allergic to the sun, foods, mosquitos’ bits, etc. When I was a kid, I would ruin numerous family picnic, reunion, basically anything that had me out in the sun. I would be having a blast running around being a kid and then at night, be rushed to the hospital because of a fever and not being able to breath very well. (Sun sensitivity). But His healing miracles was provided, again!
Ø Fevers and pushing through fatigue, swelling joint pain, and multiple surgeries. My confirmed Lupus, SLE diagnosis was in 1990 as a result of my hands swelling so painfully that I couldn’t use them at all for months. But His healing miracles was provided, again!
Ø Heart issues multiple times, pericarditis, lung issues, breathing, lung swelling, catching infections which would take me longer to recover from them, than most. But His healing miracles was provided, again!
Ø I have been told numerous times when I was in a lupus flare that I wouldn’t live more than approximately another 5 years (at ages: 32, 40, & 45). When I was 45 years old, my doctor, asked me was someone going to be at home with me, because I didn’t want to be put in the hospital, again. He made me sign a waiver that I was aware that I might be dying. But His healing miracles was provided, again!
Ø Relationships suffered, because of the struggles and feeling ashamed, embarrassed, and feeling like a burden on others caused by the suffering. I sometime have withdrawn when I am sick and/or suffering in pain and/or recovering, again, and again. But His healing miracles was provided, again!
I could go on and on, this is just a snap shot of being the F.A.C.E. of lupus. Yet, in all of my journey, it has been the process and preparation for my life’s ministry/calling and purpose. I am F - FAITHFULLY, A – ANOINTED, C – CHOSEN, & E – EQUIPPED! Yet in my weakness, He said in His WORD:
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made
perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, KJV)
By the way, lupus was responsible for my career choice of exercise science, health, fitness, and wellness. Being in the health industry taught me how to live a better, healthier, and have a more meaningful life. I wanted to be here for my children, and to grow gracefully old. I cherish the beauty of my life, and I get excited about the simplest things. I’m now living my best life in my latter days, because I accepted my God given purpose as my life’s course. When I’m doing well, and/or after recovering from a limitation or flare, I tend to rush and try to do everything as quickly as possible before I get sick again. I’ve done this from my childhood, always trying to hurry-up, and live fully. This actually sometimes caused me to get sick again because of the stress of trying to accomplish so many things at once. But His healing miracles was provided, again!
As a result of this healing ministry/calling on my life. I got to serve as a hospital chaplain, pastoral care presence, and a facilitator of His inspiration for many years when others were in a place of extreme vulnerabilities. I’m a carrier of His healing grace, and a consistent model/example of His sustaining miracles & healing power for others to witness the living WORD of the gospel, and I know it. I challenge you today, allow your suffering, weakness, illnesses, life circumstances to be used for His Glory. Serve out of your weakness because it’s where your strength will come from, He promised it. My purpose was birthed out of my pain and His gift of healing miracles have been a part of my entire life, because He lives, I can F.A.C.E. tomorrow knowing that He is with me, and He will be with you, if you will only let, Him!
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
(Romans 1:16, KJV)
For I am Beautifully Marred, and I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ or my light afflictions!
The Diary of a Hospital Chaplain’s Blog!
For the sake of the Chaplain’s HEALING CALL,
Dr. Jacqueline M. Pressey, Chaplain
"Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work by becoming Extraordinary through pursuing Excellence!"
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