I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES

We are living in extraordinary times.

As I was driving down a main thoroughfare the other morning, I started to cry as I looked around at a once thriving boulevard with stores now closed and in lock down.

The devastating effects of this global pandemic became even more real to me. My heart and prayers go out to all those struggling throughout the world and to those who have lost loved ones to the corona virus.

What is even more real is that fear of the unknown has gripped the world.

Never did I think I’d see the day that I, like millions of others, would be in lock down and not able to go outside, except for critical errands.

Even though we are painfully aware of social distancing and we are separated physically from family and loved ones, I believe this is a time we can come together as one.

THE POWER OF BEING UNITED AS ONE

Over the last few days, I have witnessed people being more concerned for others.

I recently heard a story where an elderly couple was sitting in their car in the parking lot of a grocery store. They were crying because they were in the designated high-risk category and were afraid to go in the store which was crowded with shoppers. A young man saw their plight and offered to do the shopping for them. He would buy what he could for them. They didn’t need to worry.

Even though I believe technology has caused people to isolate themselves, now social media is becoming a lifeline for people to chat, check on each other, offer encouragement, support and even humor.

The unbelievable run on toilet paper has been fodder for some amazingly funny posts.

Churches are even moving out of the established church buildings and using the internet to conduct services and reach out to their congregations.

There’s nothing like the human spirit that can rise above the circumstances of life and use the tools that are available to us to stay connected.

I can personally vouch for people reaching out by phone to check on me and me on them. I’m encouraged that this forced separation is causing us to reach out to others.

When we are challenged by tough times, it’s important to stand together as one.

There are even glimmers of hope that our elected officials in Washington are coming together, in a non-partisan way, to deal with this crisis.

Now, that’s a miracle!

THE POWER OF PRAYER

During a time of crisis, people begin to realize that there are many things beyond their control.

Things seem impossible to overcome.

It is during this time that many are stirred to seek God and cry out for His help. It is during these times we must…

I’m grateful that the president called for a National Day of Prayer last Sunday. Millions of people came together in one voice. Millions have continued to pray each day since.

We don’t always understand why things are happening; but I have learned to have faith and trust in God that He will answer our prayers.

I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES

I am a walking miracle and a testimony that God answers prayer.

As I share in my show, It’s Only Lipstick, my journey of faith began when I had a spiritual experience that changed my life. When I was visiting Israel in September 1984, I had a vision of Jesus in agony in the Garden of Gethsemene. I audibly heard the voice of God say, “It’s simpler than you’ve been taught.”

I thought I was crazy. I cried for hours; and I didn’t understand why.

For seven years, I searched for the truth. I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior in January 1991.

The last 29 years have been filled with taking steps of faith and having personal encounters with the Lord that have enabled me to trust Him.

I’ve learned that it’s all about relationship; and relationships take time and intention to grow and blossom.

Out of my relationship with the Lord, I know from first-hand experience that HE IS THE GOD OF MIRACLES!

On July 26, 1997, the Lord healed me physically.

I was living in Memphis, TN working for Maybelline. The company was sold to Cosmair; and I was in New York for a PR meeting. I was returning to Memphis, when all flights were delayed because of severe weather. The airport was so crowded, I wound up tripping over a man’s luggage. I fell to the ground screaming in pain.

I tore my meniscus.

I couldn’t walk and I needed to stay in New York for three weeks, before I could fly back to Memphis.

The week before relocating to New York, I had knee surgery.

I was now ready to head to New York. While spending one night at a Memphis Airport hotel, I woke up screaming in pain. I called the doctor’s emergency number. He insisted I come in the next day.

I was diagnosed with RSD – reflex sympathetic dystrophy. My nerve endings felt like they were on fire.

I was told there was…

After arriving in New York two weeks later, I screamed in pain. My knee was so weak, it buckled under me; and I tore the meniscus again. Another surgery!

My knee wasn’t healing. I didn’t understand what was happening to me.

I later discovered that medication I was taking for four years for sinus and allergy problems were steroids. They were wreaking havoc with my body.

I CRIED OUT TO GOD…

I saw an ad for a Christian Miracle Crusade at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island.

It took everything I had to get there.

Nothing could have prepared me for what would happen.

I was sitting in a section to the left of the platform.

The minister pointed in my direction and said; “Someone in this section is being healed of leg problems!

I screamed as I felt the power of God rip through my knee.

I STARTED CRYING WHEN I REALIZED…

On August 18th, I had an appointment with my doctor, a renowned orthopedic surgeon.

He said, “In all my years of practice, I’ve never seen anything like this. I can’t explain what happened.”

I said…

“I believe in the power of prayer.

God answers prayer.

God stepped in.”

That was the day my miracle was medically documented.

GOD IS THE GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE

As we are in the season of Lent and moving toward the Passover and the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter, I can’t help but ponder on how God miraculously answered the prayers of the Hebrews and delivered them out of the hands of Pharaoh.

They were not touched by the ten plagues that God used to change the heart of Pharaoh and set the Hebrews free.

I believe God can set us free from this plague.

What I have learned is that the Lord has the answers.