Your Voice

‘My Struggle, His Glory’ excerpt: Jesse

By Barbara Anderson
Author, “My Struggle, His Glory”

It was a beautiful Thursday morning in September that started like most others. I prepared for work without a burden or care in sight, other than competing with my husband, Johnny, for the one shower in our home. 

I was fighting the clock as I prepared for work. I was also trying to get a jump on a birthday meal for our youngest son, Joshua, who lived a short distance from us. His older brother, Jesse, who lived in Auburn, had invited him up for the weekend. Jesse had purchased Auburn versus Arkansas State football tickets so they could attend the game together on Saturday.

I scurried out the door and into my car heading to my job as a surgical nurse. My car radio was tuned to my favorite Christian radio station. I was happy and singing along. I saw it as an opportunity to offer up my small gift of praise and worship to God for the 20 minutes it would take me to get to work. 

I crossed the four-lane highway that morning and turned onto the road that would take me to my destination. But this morning was different. In my rearview mirror God had positioned the sunrise in such a precise manner that the view totally took my breath away. The Bible says in Psalm 19:1 that even the heavens declare the glory of God. I was privileged to have a front-row seat this morning even if it meant I was looking in the rearview mirror.

I was in the presence of Jehovah and His peace was so surreal. I talked to Him as though He was a physical passenger in my car. I told Him I loved Him. … I thanked Him for my family. I told Him, “Father, You are so good to me all the time.” 

He replied back in that small, still voice that I remember today with this question: “Am I good all the time?” 

I said, “Yes, Lord, You are good all the time.” Then came His second question, “Am I still good in the bad times?” 

Still focusing on the masterpiece of the sunrise I responded, “Yes, Lord. You are still God, and You are still good even in the bad times.” In less than two hours I would come face to face with those questions once again.

As I clocked in at work I quickly checked the schedule and hurried to my designated area to prepare for the day. My first patient was a pediatric patient with severe Down Syndrome. 

Normally I would never carry my personal phone into the operating room but for whatever reason I did this morning. Toward the end of this baby’s surgery I heard my phone ring from the desk where I had stored it. Not recognizing the number I quickly dismissed it, which I would later regret. Within a matter of minutes I received an overhead page. 

One of my coworkers said with a tone of urgency, “Barbara, it’s your husband. It’s an emergency. He needs to speak to you now.” 

My first thoughts were that something had happened to one of our elderly parents. With his voice shaking and frantic he blurted out that I needed to come home immediately. 

Jesse had been involved in a motorcycle accident and had been flown to the trauma center in Columbus, Georgia. Our presence was requested as soon as possible. Our other son, Joshua, would meet us at the hospital. That three-hour drive seemed like an eternity. Few words were spoken between us. 

My husband had received specific instructions from the hospital liaison in regards to where and what we needed to do upon arrival. We were met by a kind and compassionate woman who I later learned was designated to handle the trauma cases. She made a phone call and we were ushered to the critical care floor. 

Upon arrival there we identified ourselves and were quickly ushered by two neurotrauma surgeons into a private conference room. 

Reaching out and holding my hand, one doctor uttered four words that would forever change the entire course of our lives. “There is no hope.” 

EDITOR’S NOTE — This is an excerpt from “My Struggle, His Glory,” a book featuring more than 40 stories of God’s grace and provision through seasons of trial. I worked as editor on this book alongside Boyd Deal and was deeply touched by each story I read.  (Jessica Ingram)

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Holiday acts of kindness

The Alabama Baptist State Convention and the holiday season are fast approaching and the theme “Fruitful” is on our minds at Alabama Baptist Retirement Centers. 

Our centers located in Montgomery, Dothan and Roanoke are gearing up for the season of Thanksgiving. However, holidays can be times of loneliness for many, including senior adults. It is not uncommon for many seniors to find themselves without family and friends visiting regularly. 

Our managers work tirelessly in their administrative duties and in ministering to our residents through acts of kindness and scheduling activities to help them stay involved in community. 

Through intentional outreach  we as believers spread the love of Christ, thereby being fruitful for the Kingdom. 

We welcome and encourage outreach ministries to visit our centers. Seeing the joy on the face of a resident who experiences worship through music, meals, crafts or other involvement is an incredible blessing. 

Perhaps this season would be the perfect time to visit one of our centers and get involved. Contact one of our managers through our website at www.abrc.org or call us at 334-613-2329 to learn how.

—Ray Burdeshaw

EDITOR’S NOTE: Ray Burdeshaw is acting president of the Alabama Baptist Retirement Centers.

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If our vision carries us no further than the present, we have very little vision at all.

Mike Snow
Associational missions director, Bethel Baptist Association

The depth of depravity in the human heart is so much worse than any of us can possibly imagine. It is capable of the worst of atrocities but even so Jesus chose to willingly lay down his life in order to redeem us.

Kevin Blackwell
Interim pastor, Eastmont Baptist Church, Montgomery

There are so many things for which we can be thankful to God, grateful to people who serve in association programs and aware of churches that support with prayer and finances. 

John Granger
Director of missions, Coffee Baptist Association

For the Christian, it is more important than ever to understand and apply God’s word correctly.

Mel Johnson
Lead mission strategist, Autauga Baptist Association

The Bible challenges believers to express thankfulness at all times.

Don Smith
Associational missions director, Winston Baptist Association

The word saved is a simple word but it is a word that has eternal significance. 

Chris Guinn
Associational missions director, Sand Mountain Baptist Association

The gospel, the good news that God lavished His kindness on us in Christ, creates a kind of people [and] it creates a people of kindness.

Pastor Matt Mason
The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham

God’s grace goes deeper than our ugliest sins. Just look at the story of Mary Magdalene, the woman at the well, Zacchaeus and countless others, including you and me. It is this amazing grace that continues to radically change lives today. 

Larry Thompson
Director of Missions, Washington Baptist Association

Let me issue a challenge to all of us. During these next two months, let’s show the world through our actions and attitudes what Jesus has done for us so they can see what He is willing and able to do for them. Let’s shine the light of His great love on everyone we meet.

Pastor Ben Hayes
FBC Dadeville

Some Christians see little significance in belonging to a community of believers, and many Christian communities show little interest in joining together in common praise and service. … Our concern should be corporate cohesion and [the] wellbeing of our community, brought together through genuine praise, celebration and worship. 

Gene Bridgman
Associational missions director, Bullock Baptist Association

At times my compassion is diminished by knowing some people are in need by their own doing. I have been praying to feel like Jesus regardless. His compassion led Him to the cross for me, who is the least deserving.  

Steve Dunn
Associational missions director, Bethlehem and Pine Barren Baptist associations

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From the Twitterverse

@Slsellers7170

As a follower of Christ, it is easy to fall in to the trap of basing how God loves us on what we do — performance. We cannot do anything less or more to be loved by our Lord — He just loves us! May today we enjoy the embrace of His grace.

@GaryBCM

“Every part of your story … for His glory.” — Rachel Pate @1MissionStudent @JSUBCM

@kevinwilburn

Hey, Christian! When someone professes Christ as Savior … celebrate, love them, pull them in, invest in them.

@RevRKlotz

“True church revitalization can never take place and be maintained unless it is the product of a biblical pulpit. Churches in need of revitalization more than likely need revitalized pulpits.” — Michael F. Ross 

@MBChurchAL

[The] good news tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” #MBChurchAL

@jaroland74

I just read @AlabamaBaptist [and] @RashionalThts for the first time in a while. It is super! I really enjoyed the “Created to Move” secret on exercise. Thanks so much! You all are doing a great job!

@HeatherTDay

Spoke for a conference. At the end the sound guy pulls me aside and says, “I don’t believe in God. At all. That said, something happened to me in here this weekend. I can’t describe it but something is happening to me!” God leaves the 99 to pursue the one.

@Stu_Davidson

Every choice is crucial. Even small decisions can detour your day from positive to negative. … Using prayer as a filter for every decision will add to the fruitfulness of your life. #pastorponders #trustinhim

@Charleswsmithjr

The Church is called to welcome new converts with warm support, not cold skepticism. Yes, in time, “we will know them by their fruit,” but gospel fruit rarely emerges from the cold, rocky ground of “wait and see” discipleship.