Following is a short bio and blog by Connie Barris. Connie is a new friend that I recently met through a series of emails. This is definitely worth your time. What she has to say is rich! If you love salvation stories, read this. If you have questions about salvation, read this. if you feel unworthy, read this.
And, if you want to read more of Connie’s blogs go to herbrokenwing.com . -Ava
Hi, my name is Connie. I am married, I have two children. Daughter, Chyenne and son, Hogan.
I am a retired registered nurse of 38 years. My career was mostly as an Operating Room Nurse. However, in my last 5 years of nursing, I worked as a Hospice Nurse. I loved it. I always felt like I was walking on Holy Ground. Beautiful stories of the love of those escorted into the hands of God.
Then my life took a turn, I became addicted to narcotics. This cost me a career that I dearly loved.
Looking back, I started having migraines when I was 40 years old. I was prescribed narcotics. I mean they were prescribed by a doctor, right? So it was ok?
After several years of drug use, as it continually got worse; sadly, I became an addict. I also became a liar, cheater, and learned to manipulate people to get more drugs.
My family knew I was always sick, but they had no idea I was on drugs.
Eventually, my work declined and they started to suspect. Finally, I had to ask for help. My disclosure of the truth did not go as I thought it would. I lost my job. I missed out on so much in life with my family. I also lost the trust of my family. I lost financial means for our family. I lost......
But I know my God forgives and is still showing me His love and grace. Yes, there are consequences but that does not interfere with His love.
My gifts: I had to report to the nursing board. I spent 4 years going to nurses’ meetings, 3 days a week going to AA and tons of drug tests. I was very angry at first. Now, I realized, this which made me so angry— saved my life.
Today, I am 10 years sober. I sponsor other nurses that are walking the same path I did. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
To this day I praise God and give Him the glory.
God’s Grace! Last year, my son graduated from college with a nursing degree. At the pinning ceremony, he asked me to pin him. What an honor. He is now a 4th generation nurse. (His great grandmother, grandmother, me and now him.) He is an ICU nurse. My daughter is an accountant. I couldn’t be more content!
Following is a blog that Connie wrote several years ago:
How Will I Die?
I’m an addict, I can never be forgiven… Right?! I feel less than worthy of being able to do God’s work. How stinkin’ self-righteous that is! I know more than God?
(Luke 23:39-43) One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(John 3:15) ”…that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life”
As a Hospice Nurse, I heard that question, “How will I die?” often. But this particular time I will hold onto the question with a whole new meaning and a special love. My sweet patient looked down at the floor wringing his hands, finally having the courage to ask me “the” hardest question, yet. I could sense something had been bothering him during our last few visits. I could see it in his eyes. “How will I die?” He was an intelligent man, spoke 7 languages but lost that ability due to cancer, so I knew he would expect the details.
As I began sharing the process of dying, I could feel “A Presence” overtake us. I may perhaps say that God filled the room. I just know it. He took over the situation. Peace filled the apprehensive uncertainties that crept into my mind. Nearing the end of my explanation of death and dying, I told my patient (and friend) that one thing I have noticed was that all my patients are given an incredible peace in the perfect time nearing the end. However, my patients thus far have been Christians. Well, maybe exaggerated a bit. I have heard stories of patients passing that were not Christians that were less than peaceful but I have not personally experienced it so I could not share that.
He then said, “Well, I just might be your first.” First what?, I asked. “First nonbeliever.” Hmm… I felt my heart just sink into my toes. I had given him several Christian books to read and he had “enjoyed” them so I just assumed…. Now, he looked at me with such sadness. He told me that he wasn’t worthy. Well, I sure get that. He had never led a life that God would be proud of. He did not attend church much. And the list grew. But he said, “I’m not a bad person. I just didn’t work for God. I asked him if he had read the Bible or parts of it. And then I asked him if he believed in it. He said, “Yes.” I asked him if he believed that Jesus was the Son of God and again he said, “Yes.” So I did have a foundation to work with as I talked to him.
We went on for some time, God giving me the words, scripture and the peace to share. I finally asked my patient if the thief on the Cross had time for works, church and all the things he had listed and through his tears he cried, “No.”
The words shared were…Supernatural… and from our Heavenly Father…. I was a partaker.
He said, “I have some thinking to do.” And I asked him what he felt he needed to think about. I said, “Would you like to receive Christ as your Savior now? I can help you do that and I would be honored.” He nodded yes. There we held hands. His mom, a Godly woman, sat across the room. And we prayed to receive Christ.
I believe I heard Heaven rejoice.
Interestingly, as I shared this with my family (of course, leaving the name confidential), my 12-year-old son asked if we were going to baptize him. Well, duh! Why didn’t I think of that? So this week our Chaplain is going to baptize him. I’m not sure who is more excited, him or me.
How will I die? My sweet one, you won’t—you have eternal life now!
living the supernatural
Connie Barris
