Healed of major stroke

Last time I scanned this paper I thought I’d test myself and see what news stories my brain remembered most. I think my top three were – Avice Hall’s MBE, the rise in train fares, and the axing of school libraries. I knew Avice personally, I like train journeys, and I was trained as a librarian. They all had a personal connection. We are interested in issues we are familiar with .

If I wanted to interest you in God, what would I say to make you remember anything ? I think I would start by telling you a story, a true story.

My late husband had a major stroke in his 40’s. The scenes are vivid, him fitting on our lounge floor, our 3 year old asleep upstairs, me crying out to the Jesus in whom I believed, this Jesus who had died and come alive again. Then there was getting to hospital where the doctor said he’d had a “not minor” stroke. The minister of our church accompanied me and we talked for 3 hours before being asked to come in to i t u, as David was restless. We prayed, he quieted and a tall African doctor called out to us “Are you believers?”

The next day David was weak but totally well. Every bit of his body and mind was working normally. The hospital changed their diagnosis. ‘It can’t have been a stroke’, they said and discharged him. David’s side of the story was quite different to mine. He told me of the bright light he’d seen behind him, so bright he daren’t turn round.

I knew he was healed of a major stroke but it wasn’t until he had died, many many years later, that I received official confirmation of this. The death certificate listed amongst other illnesses, ‘Old cerebral infarction’ ie. old stroke. Yes God had healed him. Wow !

Elspeth Jackman, from the Vineyard Church St.Albans

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