Discovering a Take-Up-Your-Cross Kind of Faith {Salvation Stories Saturday}

I am so humbled that my bloggy friend, Rosann, has agreed to share her salvation story here. I’ve introduced you to Rosann in the past when I told you about Christian Supermom. Let’s just get right to it.

If you’d like to share your story here on Salvation Stories Saturday, simply fill out this form and I will be in touch with you!

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Never have I felt so vulnerable before. Surrounded in a blanket of steam and hot water, baring it all, I cried out to the Lord that dreadful evening.

Praying wasn’t something I did. And certainly not in the shower, but I needed privacy from my future in-laws.

I needed time with God to tell Him what I thought of the horror He seemed to be allowing. The words “heart transplant” and “30% chance of survival without one” burned in my mind.

I was angry. And scared.

Scared of losing the man I had waited my entire life for. The man of faith only God could have chosen for me.

How could he be laying in a hospital bed, over an hour drive from the apartment we had moved into together just a week earlier, fighting for his life?

I was glad the previous hospital had transferred him to one with an outstanding heart transplant unit, but the shock of this sudden life-threatening ordeal was more than I could process.

Our love story had only just begun. I couldn’t bare the thought of losing him.

So in raw emotion, with my lover’s parents trying to calm their own worried nerves on the other side of the hotel bathroom door, I gave God a stern piece of my mind.

How could you do this?

Why would you bring him into my life, just to have Cardiomyopathy steal him from me forever?

God, I love this man! I do! I want a life with him.

I deserve to have happiness…and love…with someone who loves me back!

You need to fix this, Lord. I’ve never asked for anything from you, and now I’m begging you. Heal him. Please, God. Please!

My heart is breaking.

Suddenly I felt an indescribable inner peace course through me. As if God was wrapping His arms around me, comforting me.

And then I felt an urge…an odd pull within…a small voice, maybe. Something telling me to change. Grow up. Not just believe in God, but truly accept Him into my life.

Through sobs, I whispered “I love you, God. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”

…and a faith transformation began.

I wish I knew the moment I first believed in God, but I don’t. I was very young. That much I do know. I often wonder how the seed of God was even planted in my heart when I grew up in a home without prayer, church, or bible reading.

I believed. But God wasn’t the center of my life.

That’s why for me, salvation began when I made a grown up decision to change my ways and live a life of faith. Not lukewarm faith. But a passionate, daily take-up-your-cross kind of faith.

I’m embarrassed to admit it took a near tragedy before I was able to see the light. All too often our pain is what draws us near to God.

I’m glad He was there that night. I’m grateful for His grace and forgiveness. I’m humbled by the sacrifice He made – the blood and suffering of His only Son, Jesus Christ – for me. Undeserving and constantly broken, me.

And for you.

Praise God, our Glorious Father, for He is good and faithful!

He is also a Healer.

Over a decade later, my husband while still medically labeled as a Cardiomyopathy patient, has not had a need for a heart transplant and his heart is as healthy as any other man having just turned 50.

As for me, I barely recognize the girl I once was. He has completely transformed me, heart and soul. All for His glory.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. ~ John 10:10 NIV

Rosann Cunningham is a Christian Author, wife to the man of her dreams, and stay-at-home mom to two delightful little girls.   When she’s not out for a jog or having giggle fests with her daughters, she can be found writing for her blog ChristianSuperMom, and ministering to women whose husbands are in a season of unemployment, at her other website UnEMPLOYED Faith. Her writing inspiration for both projects comes from a strong desire to glorify God while sharing the heart of her journey through a life of faith.

*** For more information on Cardiomyopathy, here’s the link: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/cm/