Overcoming Personal Tragedy With God’s Strength and A Mother’s Love
Today is Gratituesday, the day of the week when I focus my thoughts on one particular thing I am grateful for. Choosing one thing to be thankful for wasn’t hard today and if you keep reading I think you will see why.
At night when my guys are watching sports on television, I read. I started the book May Bell’s Daughter last night and finished it tonight. My husband actually purchased the book at a conference last week and the author, Eva Whittington Self, signed it for him. She said, “I pray my story blesses you!” I don’t know about Bill, because he hasn’t read the book yet, but I can tell you that it definitely blessed me.
To give you an idea of what the book is about, this is what is written on the inside cover.
Driving on a dark, snowy road, 17-year-old Eva Whittington’s car suddenly fishtailed on an icy patch, careened through the guard rail, and flipped over twice. Hurtled into the back of the car, Eva noticed her legs splayed awkwardly on the seat-legs, she would later learn, that would never again walk.
Coming to grips with life in a wheelchair was heartrending. Broken in body and spirit, Eva struggled to make sense of her life, to find hope for her future. “Why, God, why?!!!!” she screamed heavenward. “What did I do to deserve this?”
Though no answer came then, God had blessed Eva with a mother named May Bell, who loved the Lord, heart and soul. In the months following the accident, Eva began to seek the One who so richly dwelt in her mother. As she read her Bible and prayed, pouring out all of her despair, something changed. She began to hope.
Today, Eva’s story of overcoming tragedy to find purpose and joy in life is an inspiration to all. An energetic wife, mother of two preschoolers, and nation wide speaker at events such as Focus on the Families Renewing The Heart conferences, she shares how God’s strength sustains in times of trouble. Read Eva’s story and grab hold of her infectious joy and hope-and let the Lord begin a new work in you, whatever circumstances you may face.
I have often said that without God’s grace and my mother’s prayers, I would not have made it out of my teen years, so I identify with Eva’s love for her mother. Eva’s mother died of cancer and so did mine. Eva talks about how much she misses her mother and tells of picking up the phone, dialing her mother’s number, only to realize that her mother would never again answer. I know that feeling…I did that too. To this day (20 plus years since I called her) I still remember her number 432-4425) and I still wish I could call her and talk to her about my day.
Eva’s story about losing her ability to walk, is a testament of her faith and what God will do if we let Him. It touched my heart deeply, enriched my life and even though we’ve never met, I feel privileged to know her through her writing. Eva, may the good Lord continue to bless you and keep you and your family in His care!
If you are interested in purchasing May Bell’s book you can do so at Amazon
Praise God for this story of how God redeemed her life thru the tragedy. I just wrote a post about turning tragedy into music making! Blessings, Amy
What an amazing story and I love that it displays God’s amazing work and the hope he gave that young girl and the hope He has for all of us!
How interesting the book sounds to me. I will check it out. Thanks. 🙂
Great article! I did not attend the seminar but a friend who did left me information and told me what a wonderful speaker she was. And yes, I still catch myself wanting to dial Mother’s number on the way home from work because we always talked then. I understand. Tootsie