Your Extra Heart Beat
In talking with bypass patients and their families all over the country I uncovered a profound phenomenon. Almost all bypass patients have discovered an extra heart beat for life. A rejuvenation of the spirit is how some describe it. Others say they have a renewed vigor for life or an extra lease on life. In trying to define this and my own awareness I view it as an extra heart beat.
We are all limited in what our hearts and minds allow us, but with this extra beat I feel an overwhelming determination combined with an abundance of ability to achieve more than ever. I am sure a doctor or scientist would try to suggest it is just the return of blood flowing to the brain and body, but it is much more than that. I have talked to many patients who are embarking on this journey of bypass and its recovery and struggled to express until now this amazing awakening of the body, heart and mind until now.
I am sure that not everyone will feel it since everyone reacts and recovers uniquely. However the promise of this for many may be the encouragement needed to maximize the results and recovery. It has been 90 days since my bypass on November 14, 2008 and I have been overwhelmingly blessed by an increased appetite for life. I have started three incredible organizations with the purpose of celebrating healed lives and encouraging. The goal is to honor these amazing stories and to support the charities that support the future lives at stake.
GodsHealedWarriors – A ministry outreach connecting people embarking on surgery with those that have “been there and learned from” the same experience. There is an empowerment that patients get when they talk to someone who really has walked in their shoes. To learn more, participate or contribute go to www.godshealedwarriors.com
Unfavored Youth Foundation – This will be a non-profit charitable organization whose sole purpose is to help children facing insurmountable odds achieve excellence in their lives. To learn more go to www.unfavoredyouth.com
AHealedLife – Through an extremely unique venue we will tell the amazing stories of people who have had their life healed. Bypass, Heart Attack, Cancer, Accident, Accomplishments, Injured Soldiers, Healed Pets, Great Adoptions, etc will all be honored through this business. To learn more go to www.ahealedlife.com
AHealed Heart – This is an organization that serves to help fund cardiac rehab for patients that otherwise cannot afford it. To learn more go to www.ahealedheart.com
I thank God for His providence and abundant blessing towards these goals and know that He will provide.
What are you doing with your extra heart beat? That challenge needs to shape each of your days and be the fuel to do the most amazing things you can. Anyone healed of a disease has this burden to now go about doing something beyond what their limits were previously.
Join me in this community prayer for our hopes and dreams.
God, you have so abundantly provided for all time and secured our full futures with you in Heaven. Thank you Lord for this which is so undeserved. God, you blessed me by extending my walk and now I must exit the path of indifference and begin to walk the extreme terrain knowing it is not my footsteps on the ground but yours.
God, bless these and all great ambitions to spread your commanded love for our neighbors and bless the people who endeavor to fight this good fight. In your Holy and precious name, Jesus, go before me and bless me on my journey to you.
