Hi Lovies…. The last few years, especially months, have been such a journey. One that sometimes left me feeling as though I was suffocating. It began with the death of my grandmother in June of 2018, my husband’s diagnosis with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) in January 2019, and then the death of my younger cousin in June 2019. After all of the trials and emotions that came from those three pivotal events (not even touching on the smaller bumps in the road), I was soooooooooo optimistic that 2020 would me my year. I was standing on Romans 8:18… “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” I was excited about where things would go for me. My makeup ministry and business were taking off and doing well and I was ready to just watch GOD work. Then on January 6th, my husband’s diagnosis became more serious. My faith took a hit. I was discouraged, frustrated, angry, afraid… you name it. You Lovies already know that this part of our journey took us through the fire and reminded me that “It’s Not About ME!” But here is the thing, realizing that my troubles were not about me, did not make the troubles easier to withstand! So, GOD said, “rest… let trouble train you while PURPOSE sustains you.”
I left you last month telling you all about how our Journey was so that you all could witness the miraculous glory and power of GOD. And you did! The day that I posted our Lovey Lift and blog, my husband took a turn and they had to put him on ecmo. His heart needed so much support that without a new heart he would not have lived much longer. I was broken. I was exhausted and vulnerable. Never had my faith been stretched in such a way. But the events of 2018-2020… those troubles TRAINED me for such a time as this. So, exhausted and tired, I went live and asked all of you to stand with me believing GOD for a 24-hour miracle, and delivery of a heart for my husband. And at the 24th hour, on March 1st, we got the call that a heart was available.
On March 2nd, 2021 at 1pm, my husband went into surgery and received the sacred gift of a heart, and through all of this I was able to see that it was PURPOSE that was sustaining me. You see, Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” I knew in my heart of hearts that GOD’s plan for my husband and me, were so much bigger than waiting for a heart and not getting it. The transparency, the advocacy, the awareness, the relationships built… ALL OF IT was just a preface to our real story, and it is just being written. With GOD and the plans that HE has for us… THAT'S OUR PURPOSE, and it SUSTAINED US… even when we didn’t see it.
Thank you all for journeying with me and standing by me. We have a lot coming down the pipeline for you and it is time to get back to it, as we embrace this new normal. But know that you Lovies mean the world to me. I pray for all of you daily. So, when you are facing trials and tribulations… just remember to let Trouble Train You, While Purpose Sustains You.
Toni-Michele