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God’s Purpose for Mary

May 23, 2008 | English Ministry

On November 6, 2005 Mary C. took a 12-gauge shotgun and pulled the trigger, planning to end her life. But God had other plans--plans which involved a Today devotional that helped change her life.

Two and a half years ago Mary's life was taking a downward spiral. She was struggling with a painful back ailment. Several people close to her had died within a six-month period. When her uncle, who was more like a father to Mary, passed away in October, 2005, her despair became too deep. She secluded herself in the house, crying constantly. Family members noticed, but were too afraid to say anything.

One night, when no one else was home, Mary called 911. She told the operator, "I'm fixing to shoot myself." Then with the phone still live, she picked up the gun, aimed it at her leg, and shot herself. Mary thought that the blood-thinners she had been taking would cause her to bleed to death before help arrived.  

But help came to Mary-and in more than one way. Somehow she was conscious enough to direct the paramedics to her home in rural Kentucky. Then after two years of rehab in hospitals, mental institutions, and nursing homes, Mary returned home. But her husband and three children didn't know how to deal with her illness. Teetering once again on the edge of depression, Mary "happened" to find in her purse a copy of a November 2005 Today devotional.

"I have no idea how it got there or where it came from," Mary recounted. "I had never seen it before."

But that little devotional booklet changed her life. "I read that same booklet over and over every day since then. It helped me get on the right track with God, and helped keep me strong. Without the encouragement I am getting [from God's Word through the Today] I would have been back in a nursing home, or mental hospital, or worse."

Mary still deals with the after effects of attempted suicide, but God is using her as a ‘wounded healer' to help others. "One night I prayed the little prayer at the end of the devotions," she recalled, "that God would tell me what He wanted from me and give me the strength to do it."

The next day Mary's dog was barking at an intruder in her back yard-a young woman who was obviously drunk. Mary and her husband took the woman into their home, talked with her all night, sobered her up, and held her while she cried. "She was like a little kid having a nightmare. She kept saying she wanted to kill herself. We kept telling her God loved her. She told us her momma had never once hugged her."

Later the woman, a mother of an 18-month-old child, called Mary to thank her for caring. Mary believes God had answered her prayer. "I wondered why God kept me on this earth-maybe it was to save that one young lady. I would never have been able to help her if it hadn't been for reading the Today and getting strength from God through it."

Mary called The Back to God Hour to say thank you for those who make possible the Today devotional. "If you hadn't written that little booklet, I would be back in the hospital or worse."  Thanks to your support Mary is now receiving new Today devotionals by subscription.

Mary gave us permission to share her story, but asked that we use her first name only. She urges family members, "Pay attention to your loved ones. If you see them crying all the time or staying in their rooms, get help for them. Even if they get mad at you. Don't leave them alone." Mary added, "If my story can help one person, it will be worth the tears and heartache of telling it."

Comments on this article.


omoniyi  (12/06/08 at 07:30 AM)
That shows what THE ALMIGHTY GOD can do, He is the one that can do all things. So, to all of you out there that thought it is already finished, put your trust in God, the Bible says He who trust in God will be like mount Zion.