It was 2020, and I had just graduated from high school during COVID-19, might I add. Senior year without any of the senior festivities—not so fun. We had an outdoor graduation, with only a limited number of family members allowed to attend. Even then, it did not take place until late July, a month and a half after the school year officially ended.
I decided to attend Volunteer State Community College for two years and then transfer to Tennessee Tech University. Let’s just say God had a slightly different plan, one that would eventually give me the character and faith I have today.
My first year went smoothly, so to speak, although it was completely virtual. My second year started well. Campus had reopened somewhat, I had a few in-person classes, and life was good.
Before I get into what happened next, I want to explain something. I believe life is still good only because of Jesus Christ and what He has done in my life.
December 2021 came around. I had a stroke. Paralyzed on my right side from the waist down, I spent the next month in a rehabilitation hospital, relearning how to talk, walk, and perform minimal daily tasks.
I will admit that during that month, I wanted to drop out. I had zero self-motivation. My dad encouraged me to take classes online, so I eventually decided to do so. I dropped down to 12 credit hours and completed my coursework online from the rehabilitation hospital.
Eventually, I made it to Tech, but the struggle didn’t stop there. While walking and daily activities were already challenging, I had another, smaller stroke. It weakened my tactile sense on my left side, which is why my handwriting is abysmal.
The only thing that got me through what I imagine will be the most horrific times of my life was Jesus. My faith grew exponentially during that time. Without my faith, I have nothing to give me hope or the strength to carry on.
I gave my life to Christ at 10 years old, but I never imagined my faith would be tested to that extent. It was the best decision I ever made.
I can say with absolute certainty that Jesus is the reason I am at Tech, about to graduate four years later. It has been a struggle and frustrating at times, but I would not change it one bit.
The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 1:21, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
This verse is why I can have the attitude I have. As a Christian, I believe God uses His people to illuminate His faithfulness and that, when believers die, we will experience a much better life than our earthly ones.
So, if I need to have more strokes for that, then so be it. Jesus, bring the rain!
