I am Lois - The Healed of the Lord
This is a story of how God saved my life, changed my name and confirmed His promises to me by allowing me to walk through the valley of the shadow of death. In this valley, I felt more loved by God than I have ever felt in my life.
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2001 and had been taking medication for a few years. Many of my friends and family did not know because I did not talk about it much. I not was keeping this illness a secret. I just believed that I would not be identified by any illness. I refused to say that “I had Multiple Sclerosis”. Whenever discussing my situation I would simply say I was diagnosed with MS. There were times when I could not walk and when numbness in my extremities made doing normal tasks difficult. In the midst of it all God was gracious and I was able to continue my scientific work and minister in numerous places without experiencing too many episodes of MS.
Encounter with Destiny
I went to Atlanta to sing at the end of March and caught the flu which I rarely get. The medication for the flu plus the flu itself raised my blood pressure to 180/110 and that also dealt a terrible blow to my kidneys because kidney function is affected by blood pressure.
I was admitted to the hospital and immediately was hooked up to all kinds of machines. The weird thing about the timing of this is that I was in the hospital near death on the anniversary of my father's death (to the day). My dear dad raised my brother Morgan and me after a bitter divorce from my mother. While lying on the hospital bed for the first few days I felt lost, disappointed and like God had forgotten me.
The doctors had tried everything and could not do anything else. My creatnine level was as high as 7 and did not decrease significantly. Every day the doctors would come to my room with a look of hopelessness on their faces. One of my doctors said that he was keeping his fingers crossed. After a kidney biopsy it was discovered that the medication that I had been taking to treat MS was slowly damaging my kidneys. Although I kept up with my doctors visits this damage was not observed. There were no real symptoms except for fatigue and occasional palpitations which I attributed to my hectic work and ministry schedule. According to the doctor, catching the flu was still helpful in bring to light the damage that was occurring in my kidneys. I was told that if I did not catch the flu the deterioration in my kidneys would have caused me sudden death. At that point, my kidneys were functioning at 12% efficiency. I was finally released and the doctors had given up. They said that due to the considerable damage to my kidneys I would need a transplant or dialysis.
There is a BUT GOD part to this story. The doctors did blood tests and saw that my kidneys were not working well and had all their grim diagnoses. I prayed, believing that God would turn it around despite what the doctors have said and there were believers fasting and praying. God had specifically sent me a prophesy that was confirmed by about four people from four different countries who did not know me. The prophesy said that He would send me to minister to the nations, that if I open up my mouth He would fill it, and if I did His work, He would touch my body. I believe that God did say these things to me and therefore disregarded the doctor’s report. I was prescribed steroids and other potent drugs. At one point, I had to swallow 19 pills at a time.
I watched my face change as a result of the medication and at wondered who was this woman looking back at me in the mirror. I still experienced peace that I could not understand amidst the mountain of pills and river of tears. God would wake me up early in the morning with new songs and scriptures of reassurance like James 1: 2-7 which speaks about counting it all joy when we go through various trials because the trying of our faith brings patience and patience brings contentment. I also learned the true meaning of faith and the works that are associated with faith. Faith without works is dead.
My Miracle
There were believers from all over the world praying for me daily, even in the places that I had ministered before. I was beginning to gain strength through prayer and the word. I was also very strict with my diet and ate mostly fruits and vegetables. I also received great advice from a friend about the old fashioned remedies that we grew up with in the Caribbean like garlic and ginger.
I visited the doctor for more tests and he noticed that my kidney function was suddenly getting better contrary to what he had expected. Every week that I went in the doctor was baffled. I was elated when the doctor told me that I would not need a transplant or dialysis. He still cannot explain how both kidneys which were severely damaged could function like the damage never happened. The miracle that has occurred in my body defies all the expectations of the doctors.
My New Identity
The Almighty God showed Himself strong again and again. During my three months of recuperation, God revealed painful issues that I needed to release and burdens that I had been carrying for years. I received emotional and physical healing. I received my miracle and a renewal of my faith in the God who I have believed in from my youth. My life is not perfect . I still make mistakes, but I am confident that I will be able to overcome any obstacle. I have had an encounter with God and my name has been changed. I am Lois – The Healed of the Lord.
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.