Abigail’s Story: I Can SMILE Because…
“You have such a beautiful smile!”
People often say this to me, and I so want to respond by saying, “Thank you.” But I only smile again and say nothing. I am unable to speak.
Why smile when I can’t talk? Let me explain.
My name is Abigail Brown, though most people call me Abbey. I was born in 1993. Family photos show me as a cute, chubby little toddler while my parents recall my early talkativeness and love of singing. I grew and developed as the majority of children do that is, until God allowed a different plan to unfold in my life,
When I was age 3, I was bitten by a tick during a family vacation and contracted Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. My condition was misdiagnosed resulting in severe brain damage that robbed me of the ability to speak, walk, and use my hands. The doctor told my parents that I would recover within the year but that hope proved false. After many years of physical and occupational therapy, I did relearn how to walk and regain the use of my left hand but my ability to speak has never returned.
When I was 5 years old, my parents discovered that the brain trauma I experienced had led to the 
development of Dystonia, a condition which causes muscles to tighten and the body to contort in different ways. Currently, there is no cure for Dystonia though I have undergone numerous surgeries and procedures to alleviate some of the more painful and debilitating symptoms.
From the onset of this disease, I had to learn to communicate my needs by pointing to pictures but I have now transitioned to a computerized device that voices words for me. During this time I attended church regularly and began to learn about God’s love. One day I realized that just growing up in church and having Christian parents didn’t make me a Christian. At the age of 7, I came to the realization that I needed Jesus in my life to become my Savior and to cleanse me from all my sins. That day at a kids’ Bible study, I prayed in my heart and asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins and thanked Him for dying for me and being raised from the dead so one day I could live with Him in Heaven.
Since that day, my heart has been filled with the joy of the Lord. I still have my good days and bad days, but I have learned, with God nothing is impossible. I even graduated from high school. Soon after I began writing a blog titled “Abiding With Joy In Christ,” and began sharing my story with others who might be going through a difficult circumstance. I’ve created an income through a business I started, Silent Inspirations, featuring note cards and pantings I‘ve designed.
I believe God sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for our sins—past, present and future. He was buried, and three days later He victoriously arose from the dead, conquering death, and is now in Heaven.
With this assurance, I can smile even though I can’t talk. I would like for you to have the same assurance and the same smile. How can you? Follow these simple steps for salvation.
Realize God loves you. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Realize you are a sinner. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
Realize sin has a price that must be paid. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Realize Christ died and rose again to pay for your sin. Romans 5:8 “But God commandeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Repent, pray, and ask Jesus Christ to be come into your life. Romans 10:9 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
How can I smile when things are hard? Because the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For our (my) light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us (me) a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” meaning life won’t always be like this.
Life is challenging for us all in some way or another whether you’re a single parent, or you have prodigal son or daughter, or if you’re still single. I could go on but I hope you get the point we can’t live life without the Lord by your side.
This year I came up with an acronym for Dystonia that can apply to all our lives. I hope it will be a blessing.
Desiring to
Yield daily to the Lord’s
Strength and
Trust even in
Overwhelming circumstances remembering He will
Never leave me but will
Intercede on my behalf in
Amazing ways I could have never dreamed.
You can find more about Abigail and her beautiful cards at https://silent-inspirations.com/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/abigailbrown93/.
Comments
Julie
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing how the Lord is your hope and joy! God bless! 💕
desireet
Thank you for coming over and sharing!