Father's Heart Blog

Why not have a listen of the song first. I did on Wednesday morning and it got me thinking!……

I counted this morning in my quiet time my many miracles that God has done in my life and saved my life many times!

1. Firstly my mum had a car crash at 21. Fracturing every bone in her body, leaving her in hospital for 12 weeks, meaning she was in a coma for 7 days in which they gave her a 20% chance of living.

But she fought through every second of the way. She recovered fully and lived to leave a legacy and pass on a determined spirit.

What amazes me and chokes me up each time I think about it, is that my Grandparents initially had 2 girls in hospital in coma’s my Mum’s 19 year old sister being the driver on their way to work when they were side hit, she recovered quicker but for the first couple days my Gran and Grandad caught the bus in to town each day to hope and pray that their 2 oldest daughters would wake up! Being the father of 3 girls as well now I just can’t imagine the crushing my Grandad (and of course my Granny) took every minute of those long days – but I know deep down this crushing enlarged his heart and made him the amazing Grandfather that he was and still is!

2. At age 17/18 I’m thankful that the depression that I endured didn’t set in to a greater degree or that I didn’t have the opportunity to attach myself physically or through the Internet to others who felt the same way.

Though I remember writing out a note of despair at that age, I knew deep down that I wouldn’t do anything drastic, but my heart and head was so full of despair. Really I was useless at that time and I was lost in anxiety and fear. I am so greatful that God brought me back. And also greatful it has caused compassion and a heart to listen to come naturally to me. The father shaped void in my heart (that my natural father – just didn’t quite know how to fill) was filled in time by my Heavenly Father and I am so glad that it was.

3. In South Africa at age 19 I fractured my back which could have easily paralysed me from the waist down.

I fractured my back sand boarding in Jeffreys Bay (I should of stayed in the water – lol) I took a long ride from the top to bottom on the sand board and stupidly didn’t lean to fall off at the bottom and all the impact crunched in to the bottom of my spine. Fracturing my L2 Vertabrate. I got rushed to a local hospital and stayed over night. During the night I got up and went to the loo. The next morning after x-ray and examination I was told if I get out of bed I could be paralysed – and would have to let it rest for 1 week. So they strapped me to a board and rushed me off to the big hospital in Port Elizabeth (I was very greatful I took travel insurance that trip) and stayed laying in bed for 1 week. I then carried on the back backing for the next 5 months of which 3 months I had to wear a back brace, – it was a good conversation starter!

4. In South Africa living in Cape Town in townships I was mugged 6 times

I was mugged on my 2nd day in Cape Town – after going with a new friend to meet my future wife for the first time! then again my first weekend in Cape Town on a trip to the city centre for the weekend. On another time I had a knive at my throat! I was mugged on a date with Mwaka in a township town centre. I was mugged with kids at a taxi rank and then again walking through the city at dusk. Yes it was frightening, yes I was greatful each time to be safe after and now looking back I can only count my blessings.

5. Mwaka and I survived a flip of our car at 70miles an hour in South Africa.

I managed to flip our car over when the road changed on the brow of a hill from a smooth road to a dirt road. The road was a fast road and I was at 70mph – yes probably too fast for the road and the small signs that I missed. People 1 year before did the exact same thing and didn’t live. I am greatful Mwaka put her seat belt on 30mins before the crash! Otherwise I would of lost her (before I really knew her)

Amazingly God gave me in a daily devotion reading that morning the scripture 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 ⁸ We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

This of course solidified my faith and woke me up to his hand of protection.

6. Cancer was cut out of my body

In 2012 with a little boy 18months old and a little girl on the way I found out that I had a cancerous lump in my chest a skin sarcoma, of course it was a concerning time, but I prayed and I knew that God was with me, I had the above scripture to stand on and it got me through. Much like when a doctor told my wife that he thought he’d seen water on our sons brain on a scan and asked us to come back 2 long weeks later – I prayed once and believed that God was faithful to hear the tears and the cry of our heart (And he was)

And I have to admit that now 11 years later having a huge wound / scar on my chest (much like the 2 Cor life verse says in verse 10) it has been a great reminder to me that my life is precious! That it is sacred! That it belongs to the Almighty! And that He has kept me here for a purpose!

If you look back, (while you may not of been as risky as me) I bet you will see many occasions where God has kept you too – list them out – like me you will be so glad you did!

Live thankful every day!!

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