When we are in a dark valley it can be easier to stay in the dark than reach for the light. Julie Manning was in the middle of giving birth to her second child when doctors noticed an irregularity in her heartbeat. She suddenly found herself at risk for experiencing a sudden cardiac death.
Her story is a reminder that we don’t know the number of days we have been given. She says, ‘I want you to know this is not just my story. It can be your story, too. It can be a means through which, I pray, you see how Jesus is pursuing after your soul, your worship, and your full affections. And, in return, may He give you the courage to live with vulnerability, urgency, and intentionality as you share your own story…your own heart.’
In her Q&A when she is asked how her perspective on life has changed she says that, ‘Prior to my diagnoses, I truly found my worth and my identity in how productive and efficient I could be throughout the day. A completed ‘to-do’ list was rather satisfying. However, I found that my eyes were often too focused on the assignment, the task, the accomplishment and not on the soul. So, I would say that I am now more concerned with loving and nurturing the souls of my three boys, serving and being attentive to the needs of others and pausing to have conversations with the grocery clerk, my neighbors, and my patient families with the hope of displaying the love of Jesus.’
Comment on this blog for your chance to win a copy of her book! We’ll end the contest and randomly draw on 3/20/17!
This originally ran on Steve, Amy & Friends. You can hear more from Steve, Amy & Friends on spirit1053.com and spirit1059.com.
I too have recently been diagnosed with heart problems, which lead to heart failure. My symptoms began a couple months after delivering my 3rd child…I had just turned 35. I didn’t know they were symptoms of heart problems. I made excuses for every single symptom. It went on for an entire year before I had a severe episode which landed me in the hospital for 9 days. I was diagnosed with multiple heart problems and Lyme Disease. My heart function is only at 10-15% and It has not been responding to treatment. I’ve been suffering from depression since my diagnoses and it’s really hard. I’d love to read this book.