I Met a Man Named Stanley on an Airplane [Here's His Testimony]
I do a decent amount of traveling these days, so I see a good number of different people. I talk to random people from time to time also. This most recent trip, I sat next to a nice gentleman named Stanley on the plane. Stanley began telling me his story and without hesitation asked me if I wanted to read his testimony which he had written out on a folded sheet of paper. I of course said yes and took the paper from him for reading material during the flight.When I asked him if he cared if I share his story with others, and he was more than happy for me to. I felt it appropriate to share his story today through this venue.
Below is the letter Stanley wrote:
I never pictured myself being the one in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. The chest pains were so severe, my wife called the ambulance while I was doubled over in pain. But despite this episode, by the time they hooked me up to an EKG; my heart appeared to be fine.These type of incidents persisted for the next two years. Every time I would go to the doctor, the symptoms appeared to be more gastro related. With my overall health and weight in good condition, the heart was ruled out.After undergoing many test, I had my gallbladder removed. When that didn't alleviate the conditions, various tests relative to ulcers, etc. were conducted.With things getting worse, a cardiologist performed a Nuclear Stress Test, which revealed a possible blockage. The following catherization procedure ultimately revealed the blocked arteries to the heart. By Gods grace, He kept me alive until a successful Double Bypass surgery was performed. The surgery was performed at the Baptist Heart Hospital in Jacksonville, FL. The Cardiologist and the surgeon and the supporting nursing, technical and rehab staff were excellent.
Just before I received the final diagnosis, I flipped open my pocket Bible in the doctor's waiting room to the following passage.
"Blessed is the man who considers the poor, the Lord will deliver him in the time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, he will be blessed on the earth, and you will not deliver him to the will of his enemies." - Psalm 41:1-2
God did keep me alive. In fact, for me, it was the beginning of the fulfilling of the promise Jesus gave when He said, "He that will find his life will lose it, but he that will lose his life for My sake will find it." - Matthew 10:39I believe, that having made several tough decisions to die to things of this world to live for Christ, Jesus Christ has given me a new life that is just being released. This also goes along with the following passage.
"And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh. That they may walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances, and do them, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God." - Ezekiel 11:19-20
After I was able to think about Stanley over the next couple of days, I realized Stanley taught me a few things through this interaction...
#1. Always give God the Glory - Stanley is very quick to give God credit for his life and healing him.#2. Always lean on the Word of God - One of my favorite parts of this story is that when Stanley was about to receive his diagnosis the only thing he reached for was his "pocket Bible" where God spoke to him.#3. Share your Story - Unlike many I have met, Stanley had a desire to share his story with others. He was so excited about what God did in his life, he wanted to share it with as many people as possible. Don't be afraid to do the same!
Related Post: Living in God's Grace is Getting What We Do Not Deserve
I want to thank Stanley for this message. Thank you for having the courage to share your story with complete strangers while traveling. I am confident God will use Stanley and his story as a result of his obedience.