I heard someone yell for the nurse, then I heard lots of sirens. I remember looking up through my roof, watching planes go over us and I started to feel really cold. About that time, I heard someone yell, “We can’t get her out! We have to cut her out.”

  They couldn’t be talking about me, so it had to be another car involved. I learned that the lady behind me was trapped in her car and unconscious, I remember thinking this must be bad. Then I saw firemen and paramedics coming over to me. The nurse talked to them. They got me out of the car and onto a stretcher and then loaded me into the ambulance where the paramedics said they were taking me to the emergency room.

  I remember looking out the back window as the paramedic joked, “Well you have the traffic backed up for miles this morning.” What a way to start a Friday morning. By the time the police officer came to get my statement, I had been in the emergency room for about 3-4 hours. He told me that a tractor-trailer truck moved over into our lane and didn’t see the SUV behind me. He hit her full speed which sent her spinning out of control and slamming into me .

  I was sitting still at the time. In the end, there were four other cars involved along with the tractor-trailer truck. I know this sounds crazy, but thankfully my car and the car in front of me took most of the impact. If the iddy biddy car in front of me had been hit with the impact I received, it probably would have killed her. The SUV driver and I were the only ones that had to go to the hospital. The SUV driver spent the night in ICU. I checked on her condition the next day. She had a concussion but was able to go home the next night. I was off from work for a couple of days and had some swelling in my hand otherwise I was fine, just shook up. I was very hesitant to start driving on the interstate again. For a while, I would freak out if my husband got near a tractor-trailer truck on the interstate. Again, I put my manuscript down because of all of the chaos in my life.

  The next year, 2015, was my 50th birthday and I said, “I am going to finish this manuscript and get it published. I am 50 years old, I need to complete this.” After all, according to Job 8:7, “Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly.”

  Little did I know, this would be one of the worst years of my life. I know that the enemy’s goal is to steal, kill and destroy and since it wasn’t working on me, he decided to target the one closest to my heart – my daughter. I still tear up when I think about everything that we went through that year which was a dark year for our entire family. We are a very close-knit family, so it affected not only myself and my husband but also our immediate family.

  My daughter had just broken up with her boyfriend of two years and was having a really hard time dealing with it, so when she went to the doctor for her annual checkup, the physician put her on an antidepressant medication to help her “cope” better with the breakup. We learned the hard way about the side effects of certain medications. So, I am imploring anyone who is reading this to research any medication the doctor prescribes for you. Antidepressants work differently for different people. Often times, you may have to try a few to get the right one.

  When I tell you to be leery of the side effects of medication, please, I am begging you to listen to me. If you were to look up this antidepressant and the worst-case scenario side effects, my daughter’s picture would be on the side. She became even more depressed and anxious. It got so bad that she couldn’t speak. I saw her have seizures and her anger went to the hundredth power when we tried to help her. She would have fits of rage to the point that I didn’t even recognize my child. There were a couple of instances where we had to call the police.

  We had to drive around in the middle of the night to find her because she had gotten into her car and just started driving and then would have a meltdown. The scenario got worse and spiraled into something that none of us saw coming. This part of my testimony is so personal and close to my heart that I still have a hard time talking about it. Please remember that whatever the obstacle and whatever the enemy is showing you is a lie. We must have common sense, listen to the Holy Spirit and trust God. Remember the acronym for FEAR – False Evidence Appearing Real. The enemy literally tried to take my child from me and I fought back with the Word of God like any mother would do for her child. As the enemy escalated his attack, I prayed, fasted and praised God like never before. Not only was this my daughter’s faith walk, but it was also mine.

  During this year, it was hard for me to even get out of bed every day with all of this going on much less pick up my manuscript and work on it.

  We all started going to counseling. During one of our sessions, the counselor told me that this was our daughter’s faith walk and that there was nothing we could do other than pray for her. She broke down everything that was going on with her mentally, spiritually and within her soul. She then went on to say, keep praying, this is her faith walk. It was like the Holy Spirit started opening up my eyes at this point and time. There is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking out professional help when you are going through your valley experience. Do whatever you have to do to stay sane. Now, I tell you my husband was remaining so calm through these distractions that I got angry with him and told him he was too nonchalant about all of this. He, along with one of my best friends both said, “It’s not always what it seems.” I didn’t understand exactly what they meant, but I would soon learn.

  By this time, I have pages of scriptures that I am praying for my daughter and asking those closest to us to pray them as well. I continued to tell the Lord that I was standing on His promises, that He would bring my child through all of this just like He did for so many others in the Bible. I listened to my praise music just to make it through the day at work without having a meltdown.

  I also remembered that others watch you as you are going through, so I decided that if I could be a testimony to someone else, then I will do it. I will keep it together. I will come in here every day and work. I will continue praying for my child who is also your child, and I will continue to give you all the honor and praise as I go through this valley experience. I never knew that my heart could hurt so bad.

  What we were going through was so painful that I stayed off work a couple of days, stayed in bed because I just couldn’t function. I finally got up and started praying again. I could barely speak, but I remembered Romans 8:26, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” because that’s all that would come out.

  I was spent, I was done and didn’t know what to do or how to do it. All I could do was rely on Jesus. I kept remembering what my husband and friend and the doctor said – It’s not what it seems.

  But dealing with all the issues with my daughter had made me so angry. We made an appointment with the counselor and went in to talk to her. I was relieved but also angry that I couldn’t see straight. My husband and the counselor had to calm me down. I am one of those people who used to have anger issues and about this time, I wanted to hug my daughter and then rip her head off her shoulders. To this day, she will never understand the pain that she caused me as her mother. We all continued counseling and let’s just say we are still a work in progress. My daughter stopped taking the antidepressants and is very careful about any medications she receives.

  After our year of hell, I was even more determined to get published. I was back to working on my book, shooting for a release date of February 1, 2017. On June 26, 2016, I was leaving work in my husband’s Jeep Grand Cherokee and decided to take a back road to get to the interstate. This is a two-lane curvy road, I proceeded as normal because I had taken this road several times and the only difference with this day was that it was raining. Not pouring down but drizzling by the time I left work.

  As I was driving, I came upon a curve going faster than I should have been. I lost control of the Jeep and flipped upside down. Just like my accident on the interstate, I was yelling for Jesus. I am thankful no other car was coming towards me because that would have really been bad. While upside down, I began talking to Jesus asking Him how I was supposed to get out of the Jeep because the doors were stuck. I was able to unhook my seatbelt where I could move some. I was also trying my best not to hyperventilate. It is quite unnerving being upside down in a vehicle; you feel like a trapped animal.

  I managed to get the window down on the passenger’s side of the Jeep. I scooted my body out while the two people that had stopped on the side of the road pulled my legs out the window along with the rest of my body. At the same time, I am trying to grab my purse, and my phone I hear the guy say hurry up the Jeep is smoking it could be on fire. Really Jesus? I am shaken as I get out of the car, but I am fine. No cuts, no bruises, no nothing.

  By this time the police and fire department arrived, and the officer put me in the back of his car. I called my daughter to tell her to come and get me because she drives the same way home. She said my sister was with her heading home. I told them the location and that I was in the back of the police car reassuring them that I was fine. When they showed up to get me, they started freaking out when they saw the Jeep upside down. I told the policeman and the fireman that I was fine, and my daughter would take me home. As we headed home I called my husband and told him what had happened, and he said no ma’am go to the ER, you need to get checked out because you could have some internal injuries and not know it.

  He told me he would meet me there. When I arrived, I told the nurse what happened, and they immediately took me to the back. The next four to five hours were nothing but tests. I told everyone I was fine. The hospital staff told me that anytime you are turned upside down that you still need to be checked out from head to toe – who knew? Anyway, I was okay and stayed in bed the next day and told the enemy, ‘you lost again and note to self, slow down and don’t drive the Jeep in the rain.’ Well, I didn’t have to worry about that because the insurance company totaled the Jeep. My hubby was not too happy, but he did get another Jeep Grand Cherokee.

  Well, picking up my manuscript again and I am now on the path to finishing my first book. I have had a one-on-one counseling session with an author in Memphis named Arnita Fields. I have made contact with Ty Moody to start my book trailer, final editing is taking place, I’ve found a company to print, and I’m about ready to publish this manuscript. I have purchased my ISBN and set up my Amazon account. Finally, after seven years of trying, it’s all coming to fruition. Thank you, Jesus!

  Then my husband goes to the doctor for his annual checkup. The internal medicine doctor sends him to the liver specialist as usual; no worries. Then the specialist calls and says that he wants David to have some additional blood work and tests; still no worries. In November, we have an appointment to see another liver specialist at Vanderbilt. We go meet him in his office, he is going over David’s test results and says those words that we were not expecting. You have liver cancer.

  My slow motion starts again, and I just stare at the doctor like he has two heads as he proceeds to go over his findings. I am listening, but I’m not listening. How can he say such a thing? My husband is an ordained man of God, he has the strength of Samson, and he is the epitome of health. He is not named David by coincidence. I remember holding my husband’s hand and saying to myself, don’t cry, don’t cry and I was fine until the doctor moved in close to us. He touched my leg and then the tears started flowing.

  I think my husband was also in shock because he had been feeling just fine and thus the danger of liver cancer -when the symptoms show up, it is often very progressed. Thank God we have proactive physicians. The doctor explained that they had caught it early and hoped to resect that portion of his liver to remove the cancer. We began reading healing scriptures again as we stood on the promises of God.

  Surgery was scheduled for the week of Christmas. Two days prior to surgery, his surgery was rescheduled to the first week in January because the liver surgeon had to fly out of town for a liver transplant. This gave me some comfort that he had one of the best surgeons at Vanderbilt. Our wedding anniversary is Christmas Eve, we normally celebrate early since everything closes early. David told me, “I don’t care what happens from this point forward, don’t stop what you are doing.”

  Get your book finished and printed. You have got to do this because the enemy has tried for years now to stop you.” I said, ‘I can finish next year’ and he said, “No you are going to finish this year and release your book in 2017 like you said.”

  We made it through the six-hour surgery and a week in the step-down unit. This unit is not ICU but in between being in ICU and a regular room. At the end of the week, we finally made it home. We went back for his six- week checkup and his surgeon said he was amazed. He was able to remove all the cancer and David didn’t need any chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Thank you, Jesus, again!

  On February 1, 2017, I released my first book – The Secret Between These Walls and I haven’t slowed down since, regardless of the distractions. I was motivated even more by attending the Christian Book Lover’s Conference this fall, and I am working on the sequel. It is scheduled for release Summer, 2018. Currently, my husband remains cancer-free and is back in the gym working out again.

  My daughter is doing fine, and so is my dad. So, believe me when I tell you, Don’t Give Up. Don’t let the enemy steal your destiny. It’s what God has promised you. Don’t fool yourself into believing that the enemy will stop because he won’t. Just a couple of months ago I was involved in a fender bender, and I started praising God because I know that there is a blessing behind all of this. Remember, we win in the end.

  The Cost of My Daily Bread

  Demetria Aries Mitchell

  “Trusting in the Lord” is more than just a cliché or scriptural anecdote describing my daily posture in Christ. It has become a natural way of order in my life. It’s so easy to say, “I will trust in the Lord at all times;” but when it becomes etched into your very existence of being then this simple admonishment takes your life on an unexpected journey.

  I have experienced significant highs and lows that have made me question my life’s purpose. I have beautiful children and grandchildren; I hold degrees and certifications in the healthcare field. I’ve overcome the statistics of being a teen mother with two children by graduating from high school and furthering my education. I’ve overcome domestic violence in more than one situation. There are countless other obstacles I’ve conquered such as drug addiction, rape, and the list go on and on. I had worked so hard and made it through so many trying times, being stretched in every area.

  I am a Preacher’s Kid, so I knew at an early age about the Lord and whom He loves, He chastens (Hebrews 12:4), no matter how far off track you may go in life. I remember while growing up my grandfather would walk up and down the halls praying in the midnight hours. At times, he would lay prostrate before the Lord. To me, it seemed his life was good; so, I didn’t understand why he prayed so hard when he had the best life. I didn’t understand the cost of his daily bread...all I saw was his nice cars, home, and his church.

  My grandfather would always remind me to keep on living; everything will make sense as time goes by. He’d say, “you’ll find yourself in this very same position as you walk with the Lord. As I stated earlier, I knew the Lord at an early age; but I chose to run from my true identity in Christ and my calling. Upon returning back to my First Love, I embraced all that the Lord predestined for me.

  2014 marked a year of significant changes. Every New Year, the Lord sends me a Word; I meditate and pray on it expecting great things from that one Rhema Word. This particular year, trust, was my Word. It seemed simple to me. I trust the Lord with all of me, and I trust that He will make the crooked paths of my life straight. I trust Him on a daily basis.

  I sincerely thought my level of trust was appropriate for anything that would or could come my way.

  A couple of months later, I specifically heard the Lord telling me to leave my job. I honestly believed I needed to return to my hometown. I refused to go back, so I ran. I felt there weren’t opportunities available for me. I continued running from what the Lord kept bringing me back to.

  I had been denied employment with every employer I interviewed with, so there was no way I was leaving my job until I had something better in place. If the Lord wanted me to leave this job, then He would ensure a smooth transition from one job to the next. I’ve heard the old adage of if God leads you to it, He will also supply provision along the way. So, until I had another job lined up, I was not about to leave this job or return home. This felt like a trick of the enemy to trap me so I wouldn’t prosper.

  A few weeks after hearing this, I had a vision of a huge lion that picked me up and dunked me in a pot of fire. A voice reminded me that I wasn’t burnt, scarred or even smelled of smoke. I woke up in a cold sweat because it seemed so real and I wondered what was truly in store for me. Never once did I say, why me? Only Lord, “Your will be done in my life.”

  I had been at my job for four years and was complacent. The year literally slipped from my grasp, but I trusted God to bring us through the year safe, and He did. My trust meter was moving up like never before. God showed His powerful hand on many occasions when I had no other choice except to believe He would do it since I didn’t have the means or resources to do it myself.

  The day before Thanksgiving 2014, I was told that the medical department of the facility I worked for was downsizing due to budget cuts. I was further informed that I could possibly lose my job or be placed in another department with a huge pay cut. This happened at a crazy time due to my daughter having pregnancy complications and was about to give birth soon.