The year was 2012, I was living my active and fast paced life when my right knee became injured. Due to my injury, I struggled to walk until my leg muscles weakened. I took some medications but unfortunately it made my condition even worse when I developed insomnia due to its side effects. I could not walk, I could not sleep and I didn't have any appetite to eat. No doubt that I was facing a great storm. Suddenly, I found myself inside a dark tunnel where only fear and grief exists, I was like a dead leaf tossed by a strong wind and got stuck somewhere. I wondered why all these things were happening to me. Life goes on for others while I'm here sitting helplessly in the dark as I watch the world go by. I began to hate weekends (used to be my favorite days of the week) because it only reminded me of my incapabilities. Due to my condition I could no longer do grocery shopping nor run errands for my family, I can't go for a quick jog anymore or stroll while enjoying the weather and scenery outside. My husband and my children do most of the things for me. I dreaded to see the setting of the sun because for me it only meant struggles . . struggle for me to fall asleep and struggle to fight the fear within me. I even hated the sight of my own bedroom where I used to find peace and calmness. Most of my days were bleak and cloudy. I often cried as if I'd already forgotten how to smile. A year later while I was still recovering from my knee injury another storm came when my right shoulder was dislocated.

I began to ask God whether I still have purpose. God answered me through a glorious dream. In my dream God saw my sufferings, I couldn't walk therefore He lifted me up and carried me as He whispered that He has good news for me. As I woke up, I read the Scripture readings and devotional from Our Daily Bread booklet for that particular day. The message was from Hebrews chapter 12. "My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.(verses 4-7). I was scared, confused and miserable but through His words He gave me comfort and assured me of His love. My joy was great knowing that I'm not alone in this journey, that God is with me.

The battle isn’t yours.” said God (2 Chronicles 20:15). In that pit of darkness, that's where God shone the brightest light I had ever seen. He had given me a new sight that allowed me to witness His glory through everyday miracles and divine interventions during my recovery period. In the quietness of that place God gave me the ability to hear even His slightest whispers of messages of love and assurance. Somehow, my isolation from the outside world led me to experience an utmost joy and peace that I've never known before. God delivered and healed me. I often asked myself "Who am I, Lord, that you are mindful of me?” (Psalm 8:4) I was once a dying plant captured by storm but through God's love and mercy, a new life was breathed unto me. A lifeless piece of plant was transformed into a beautiful tree. "They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do" (Psalm 1:3). In the midst of my sufferings and struggles, God made the pruning. "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit" (John 15:2). It may be a painful process as He cut all the dead leaves (my sins) and overgrown branches (my pride and stubbornness) from me but like what He had told me "He disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a fruit of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:10-11).

"And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:1:2). Strong branches of faith, trust and hope started to develop in me as I connect with the Lord's vine. Eventually, flower buds began to show and gradually turned into fruits of patience, compassion and kindness within me. I often found myself praying for others who are suffering especially those with disabilities and difficulty in walking. My heart filled with compassion and love towards them. As I endured my difficulties, it taught me how to be patient, humble and gentle. Indeed, the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). Our loving God not only restored me physically but He renewed my spiritual being as well. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2: 20).

"Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed" (Hebrews 12:12-13). Through God's faithfulness I was able to endure every pain, challenge and even disappointments during my road to recovery. My sufferings not only strengthened our family bond but our faith as well. Exactly two weeks after I completed my six months physical therapy sessions, God gave us His reward. . .on an Easter Sunday of the year 2014 I conceived with my third child. I bear another fruit, a precious fruit of life from God. "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him" (Psalm 127:3). From the moment I had known that I was pregnant, I named my unborn child right away. She will be called Faith, a reminder of God's love and faithfulness to our family. She's now one and a half years old. I never imagined that I could still bear a child considering all my physical limitations and weaknesses but with God nothing is impossible. He had shown me that I still have purpose, to give birth to another precious life, to share the Good News and most of all to testify to His amazing work in my life. All for His glory!