walk

Not Without God: Hope In the Storm (an excerpt from Chapter 10)!

Life can be difficult. We all know it’s true. However, I have learned one thing that I know for sure – when you truly know God, when you have experienced his love, you will be able to find joy in all circumstances no matter what.

Let me give you an example, you may be bullied, disrespected, or unappreciated – with God, you will find your way back to peace. You will be whole again. He will lead you in the right direction if you ask him to.

He will be a beacon of hope. A light in the dark. A shield of protection. All you have to do is call out to him. He will be right there. God is one who never sleeps. You have access to him around the clock, all day long.

God is not a person we necessarily see, although, I do believe God lives through each one of us. We can use his gifts to do good or bad. I am sure we have all hurt each other at least once before. That is what God’s message of love is. There are infinite chances, what I mean is, even when we mess up time and time again – we get another chance to make it right.

God knew we would be imperfect. That is why he sent his one and only perfect son. He came into the world and demonstrated unconditional love. Life is not that simple. We may go through something difficult such as an illness or another type of trying time.

But when we depend on God, he will bring us out. He will give us the steps to overcome or direct us in our path. Just ask him to lead and guide. I didn’t expect my life to turn out the way it did. I had a very bad accident at just sixteen years old that left me paralyzed.

Thankfully, after countless hours of exercise and physical therapy – I can move and walk. I know I may never fully recover unless the FDA approves a new type of technology that is in the works now, but either way, I am content. I may not be happy all the time. I don’t think anyone is, though, it is not possible.

To be content, to find joy in all circumstances, is key. When you call out to the Lord, and when you ask him to direct your steps – you still may fall off your tracks. However, you have infinite chances to get it right.

God is not only unconditionally loving but he is unconditionally kind. At times we mess up, he takes us back. We are not to continually fail or treat others poorly and then go to him for forgiveness. God cannot be fooled.

We are to repent, confess, and find our way back. We may fail every day, but God is always standing in the corner – waiting for us with open arms and always ready to take us back.

Here is an excerpt from my most recent book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm …

A few tips on how to overcome

“We sometimes go through hardship. I’d like to offer you some advice if you are. I recall envisioning where I am today. As a child, I would glare at the glass windows inside bookstores and just knew my name would be in them one day!

As far as walking goes, I never dreamt I would be able to use an elliptical machine or even walk up to a mile on my crutches outdoors. God will take you even further than what you envisioned.

This is a far stretch from where I was when I was in the hospital back in 1994. I imagined myself walking even when I couldn’t sit for more than a minute. All these years later, being able to walk or even use a treadmill machine is a huge blessing.

Having faith has so much to do with what we believe and see. People don’t realize it, but the greatest physicists in the world have even confirmed that faith lives in our imagination; what we see can become manifest!”

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places. Last August she created the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group” meetings and workshops where aspiring and seasoned authors can network and learn together.

Zina writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also likes to write about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm was just published last year.

“Not Without God: Hope In the Storm!”✨📖♥️

Here is the link to my Facebook live I just did this evening with an excerpt from my latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm! ♥️🙏☦️

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=754441265847157&id=1514758298

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

What is faith?

Having faith has so much to do with what we envision. We don’t always realize it; sometimes, we think that having faith comes only through what we hear. But faith lives in our imagination. Imagination is a powerful tool, and what we dream of can become manifest.

What you hear has a way of affecting you too. “Faith does cometh by heareth.” That’s why what we hear can affect us.

At sixteen years old, while trying to cross the street on my way to school I was hit by a car. When some doctors predicted I would never walk again it crushed my spirit. But I had faith and heard God say that I would. Although I’m not walking the way that I did before my accident, it’s a miracle I can walk at all.

I’ve accomplished walking because I envisioned it. While in the hospital, I imagined myself walking even when I couldn’t sit for more than a minute. And now, all these years later, I never dreamt I would be able to use a treadmill machine or have the ability to walk up to a mile. My point is God will take you even further than what you’ve dreamt.

Culture teaches us that all we have are our five senses. We are taught that using our imagination is silly. There is so much beyond what you can see though. God lives in our imagination. It is the only way we can see him while we’re here, says famous pastor, Gregory Boyd.

World-famous physicists have even confirmed, that imagination is not a tool we can choose to use, it’s how we’re moving through life.✨

***

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s just been featured on the popular, Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

What is prayer?

Sometimes our prayers get answered in a way we least expect. Let’s look at the lame man in the Book of Acts (Acts 3). “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer–at three in the afternoon. Now a lame man from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg (for alms) from those going into the temple courts.” The man asked for money because his paralysis debilitated his finances too. But on one of the many days the lame man asked for money, he got something more!

The man knew that Peter and John could help him. Peter said, “Silver and Gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you; In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him, and immediately the man’s feet and ankle bones received strength. So, he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple gate with them—walking, leaping, and praising God! Notice how the man’s miracle happened suddenly? He waited for a long time. As a matter of fact, he waited his whole life.

I think he thought he could no longer be healed anymore. Have you ever felt like it’s been too long for something good to happen to you? Have you ever felt like God’s forgotten about you? I mention him because on one of the many long days he sat there begging for sufficient funds, he got something more! He walked.

God knows what’s best for us. He doesn’t always say “yes.” He sometimes says “not right now.” But there’s no end to a prayer. You can never tell when or how it will get answered.

The holy spirit dwells within all of us, so when we activate prayer we turn on a switch. The God of all energy hears us. Even when it feels like God doesn’t hear you or your prayers are in vain, something is happening. You’ve opened the gateway. There are different forms of prayer. But think of prayer as a pathway to peace.

Once you make a request, there is usually an unfolding of events. At first you may hear from your intuition. Prayer doesn’t mean God will grant all your wishes. But when you keep the faith, God will compensate. For every prayer there is an answer.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s just been featured on the popular, Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Walk with God♥️

At times the road may be tough. You may wonder why you work so hard. You may feel like throwing your hands up and giving up. You may wonder how you’ve even made it this far. But keep in mind that God is working with you. He’s stayed with you this whole time. He is a God who never sleeps and you have access to him 24 hours a day. Just call on his name. He’ll be there to refresh, restore, and help you relax. ‘Those who walk with God always reach their destination.’🙏✨🧡

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s been featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World. Zina’s written almost 500 articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world spanning many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm has just been released, on Jan 24! Order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Labor Day!🌃

It was a nice night for a walk. I’ve surpassed my goals and have been able to walk thousands of feet at a time. It feels fulfilling. I’m not so much obsessed with setting records for myself all the time anymore. I’m more just obsessed with getting in exercise. It feels great to walk and think at one of my favorite spots: church. This was after I went on a little shopping spree, and that’s another thing I occasionally enjoy. I could spend more time buying furnishings and other stuff, but the more time I spend the more money I spend. So I have to limit myself. It’s been a good night.😄👍⛪🛍🙏

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the best selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. Recently she was featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World. Zina’s written hundreds of articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world spanning many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog and Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. Her goal is to help others. You can connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Linked In, or Twitter.

Last night at church☦️⛪

Here are pictures from my little church walk last night!☀️🎑 The parking lot was nearly empty, and I have taken long walks at this church numerous times. It’s been a way to clear my head when I have a lot on my mind and to pray, of course. Lately I’ve been asking God to forgive me for any feelings of fear. I know I have a job to do here. But considering the state the world is in, I guess it makes sense. I like to get my exercise here, release my thoughts and talk with him. One thing I’ve always noticed is it is much easier to hear God’s voice after you get away from the noise. I was considering whether I should post this or not. I look very casual and have no make up on. But I thought about how my life has changed. Since the pandemic started I’ve been teaching full time from home. I don’t have to get up and go to work every day. In a way, I miss that. I miss the way life used to be. I know this is my new normal. Nonetheless, I feel blessed. God never promised us an easy life, but one that we would get through.

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the best selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. Recently she was featured on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast. Zina’s written hundreds of articles and has taught students from all over the world spanning many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog and Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. Her goal is to help others. You can connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Linked In, or Twitter.

Walking on water 🌊

According to physics, we are “particles.” As a matter of fact, we can at times even be waves! You see, a wave is a particle. We learned that through the famous double split experiment. Now, that’s not to say you can act as though you are just a particle. Of course, you can’t; you’re human. You are made up of a “bag of particles,” and please don’t take offense to that. I believe you have a soul, a spirit, a mind, and faith, etc. But we are also made up of billions and billions of atoms. In a world where gravity holds everything together, we would never try to walk on water.

But if God didn’t make Quantum physics, the Lord would’ve never been able to do it, and I’ll tell you why. ‘Quantum physics is magic because none of it issues forth from your common sense. Particles pop in and out of existence, one time, it’s a wave, and the next time it’s a particle. It can interact with itself. You measure the particle here, but it shows up there! It can even pull you away from the gravity field of a black hole. And in our mind, NOTHING can get you out of a black hole. It is E=MC2!” says Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson.

It’s a common phenomenon known to the universe but unbeknownst to us because we don’t live in that place. So it’s not supposed to make sense. We are not living in the universe of Quantum mechanics, where everything is broken down to its tiniest parts. But since God is omnipresent, he can live in all universes. He created them. In the Quantum World, Jesus walking on water makes sense. In this world, it doesn’t. Physics agrees with the mystical idea that with God, all things are possible. In an eternal universe, not only can anything happen, but every rare thing does!

If you want to watch the video that inspired this article here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXh9RQCvxmg The part about Quantum Physics starts at about 1:06:25 in case you want to start there.

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the best-selling book, “Not Without God: A Story of Survival.” Her stories have been featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters, and over 250 of her own blog articles. As an educator for more than twenty years, she’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. Her upcoming book, “Not Without God: Hope In the Storm” will be out later this year. Her writing endeavors earned her an invitation to speak at the Harvard Faculty Club’s “Business Expert Forum.” Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity, and she strives to do what she longs to–help other people. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Southern Writers magazine, and Suite T blog among other places. Socializing with friends, taking business trips, listening to music, and meeting new people are among her hobbies. She was recently featured on Color Speak (a Grace and Truth Radio World! podcast). You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

I know it was you, God

All the time. These moments are not few and far between. Good things will happen out of nowhere. And it’s something I just know God had a hand in. There are no mistakes when you walk by faith. It’s always a result of God looking out for you. Have you ever felt like you’re glad you didn’t go somewhere or do something? Like by not doing it you saved time or were safer? That’s God. I have more drastic examples of when he’s saved me. But I won’t mention them here. I’m sure you can all relate. Have you ever had a time when you thought, I know that was you God?☝️🙏💝

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the best-selling book, “Not Without God: A Story of Survival.” Her stories have been featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters, and over 250 of her own blog articles. As an educator for more than twenty years, she’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. Her upcoming book, “Not Without God: Hope In the Storm” will be out later this year. Her writing endeavors earned her an invitation to speak at the Harvard Faculty Club’s “Business Expert Forum.” Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity, and she strives to do what she longs to–help other people. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Southern Writers magazine, and Suite T blog among other places. Socializing with friends, taking business trips, listening to music, and meeting new people are among her hobbies. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, or Twitter.

God Is Able!

We sometimes go through hardship; I’d like to offer you some advice if you are. I can now work out for well over an hour at the gym, and I don’t even recall envisioning it. I mean, I never dreamt I would be able to run on an elliptical. I imagined I was walking on a walker at sixteen after my accident and suffering paralysis, but using an elliptical has been a huge success.

My point is, God will take you even further than what you’ve dreamt. He has the capability. It’s a far stretch from where I was while in the hospital! I imagined myself walking even when I couldn’t sit for more than a minute. And now, all these years later, running on an elliptical?

Having faith has so much to do with what we envision. We don’t always realize that; sometimes, we think that having faith comes only through what we hear or learn. But faith comes through what we envision; imagination is a powerful tool, and what we dream up can become manifest.

I’ve been able to accomplish this because I envisioned it as a teenager. I expected it. We can see God through our imagination. I’ve heard from a famous pastor that it’s the closest we will ever get to seeing him while we’re here. Seeing God can be real if we stop rejecting him.

We reject seeing him because society teaches us that if we use our imagination, we are silly. Culture teaches us that as humans we are limited. Sometimes images just come to me while I’m praying. I see specs of light often, even rays of light I have seen before. Objects sometimes shake or rattle. I always saw this as God’s way of telling me his angels are near. I have heard God’s voice from deep within instructing me and even tell me what to do in critical moments.

It’s why my faith has been bigger than my fear.

I have studied physics for a year and a half, and all of the theories I’ve learned further prove God and his excellent existence! The fact is that the greatest physicists now say we are moving here through our imagination. We are made up of billions of atoms that can never die. All of this is true.

The Theory of entanglement holds true. These are Biblical principles taught to us through physics, but you would never know it without studying the universe. The Bible teaches us we are ‘entangled with Christ,’ so there is the entanglement. Every human being has already ‘died’ because when One died, all died,’ the Bible tells us.

Modern physicists are now teaching that everything is happening at the same time. Actually, ‘time’ is the only thing stopping everything from happening all at once. In space-time, there is no distinction.

Everyone should search and find. Scientists are now suggesting that there may be multiverses because of the Theory of entanglement. ‘When one electron is in any given space, there is a complete duplicate that will even move and act the same way. The two particles can be on opposite sides of the universe, but they will behave the same way.’ It is entanglement.

I can also accept all of this because I know how amazing God is. It doesn’t challenge my faith, it makes it stronger!

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored “Not Without God: A Story of Survival.” Her stories have been featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters, and over 200 of her blog posts. As an educator for more than twenty years, she’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. Her writing endeavors earned her an invitation to speak at the Harvard Faculty Club’s “Business Expert Forum.” Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity, and she strives to do what she longs to–help other people. She’s appeared in Christianity Today and the Southern Writers magazine more than once. Socializing with friends, taking business trips, listening to music, and meeting new people are among her hobbies. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, or Twitter.

Have your dreams been met?🙏✨🌟

Have you found what you’ve been searching for? Do you know what it is? Have you accomplished what you’ve been dreaming about? If not, how can you get to it? There is no limit to what God can do. But we are the miracle workers, too. Without Him we can do nothing, but we have to do something to start! We can be co-workers with God!

When you are praying for your wishes to come true, you are RECEIVING, too. Whether you realize it or not, God is giving. You open the gateway. The Holy Spirit gives you guidance. You may not hear directly from the Lord. However, once you ask or make prayer requests, there is an unfolding of events that take place and you eventually get your answers.

The essence of faith is the ability to see something good in your life with no evidence.

Although everything does not turn out the way we want it to. There is God’s will, and there is our will—they don’t always coincide. The sooner you accept that the happier you will be. Take heart, though, God knows what is best for you, when something doesn’t work out the way you want it to—remember, God could’ve been shielding you, or teaching you a life-lesson.

There will be new experiences, you will plan, hope, and believe!

When I got out of the hospital after my accident at sixteen, I got settled at home, I pondered upon how I would go back to school. I was active before it. It took me a long time to adjust and even think of myself as beautiful. I knew that life would be difficult. I wondered what it would be like. I wondered if I would make new friends, or have a career like I always wanted.

I wondered about my future, a lot.

I hoped that I would one day walk again, and indeed, I am, but not the way I expected to. I use crutches (the kind with the rings around the arms) because of weakness, pain and tightness. Considering the fact that there were a few physicians who predicted I would not walk at all, I have made huge progress.

I held onto what I knew–God would get me through, because that is his promise!

I didn’t know what the next day would bring; I could not predict anything. But I knew that with God by my side, overcoming would become second nature!

I’m someone who wants to maintain a relationship with the Lord. Even when friendships failed, I knew Jesus would be there. Every time someone rejected me, I became closer to him. I want you to remember that in your trials; His love is sufficient.

Making God your best friend can prepare you for any life event. Throughout my life, I’ve asked God what to do. Jesus says “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever” (John 14:16).

The advocate is the Holy Spirit, and He will lead and guide you. Get to know God as soon as you can. Talk to God like you would your best friend. Was there a time when you knew that only he could help? Were you ever in a desperate place? A minute to minute, moment to moment, dependence-on-God-kind-of-place?

Maybe you weren’t too spiritual when you encountered it, or maybe you were but then needed Him more than ever before!!!💫

About Zina

5A1B90A4-7231-46E9-A9FD-907EC16171A5 Zina Hermez authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. Her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, the Southern Writers Magazine, various guest blogs, medical journals, newsletters, and she’s written over 200 of her very own articles. She’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s taught at automotive corporations like General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Bosch, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and worked with students of all ages. She began her own teaching services incorporating math and other subjects. Her writing endeavors have earned her an invitation to speak at the Harvard Faculty Club’s “Business Expert Forum.” Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity. Socializing with friends, taking trips, listening to music, and networking are among her hobbies. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter.

Not Without God – A Poem

Tonight I would like to share a poem that I wrote from my book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. Regina, my nurse had put this in a plaque for me as a gift and she gave it to me on my birthday – a few months after my accident in 1994.

Regina was not only a nurse for many years in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. She was also an ordained Baptist minister, and woman of faith. She was the first medical professional to tell me I would walk again after my all of my injuries.

GOD

GOD I am crying, crying out to you.

Will you help me, help me get through.

Through the hard times with faith, strength and wisdom.

And be able to face whatever the outcome.

I will give my hardest to do what I think is best for me.

With everything I got, heart, mind, ability will you hold my hand through this PLEASE?

But if in the end I will be upset, I’ll be thankful, thankful for being here with family and friends.

And thank you God we finally met.

I wrote this poem after I found out some of the hospital staff were saying I would never walk again. I’ll never forget how I felt when my sister and Regina broke that news to me. In this poem, I was asking God to get me through the crisis while believing, and accepting.

My nurse found this poem so special that she framed it. It still sits on a mantle in my living room. I still read it, and to this day I am thankful. In awe of God’s mercies and all He has done for me. This is from Chapter 2 of my book.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the book Not Without God: A Story of Survival and has created the Spinal Cord Injury Solutions! on line website. Zina works as an English Language Instructor, and has been an educator for nearly fifteen years her thousands of students have been from many parts of the world and she’s worked with all ages.

Zina writes articles on faith and overcoming disability and her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, Spinal Cord Injury Zone, SCI Access, newsletters, and medical journals among many other various publications. To learn more about Zina visit http://zinahermez.com.

Not Without God – an Excerpt

Today I’d like to share a passage from my book Not Without God: A Story of Survival. As you may already know my life is a miracle, and so is the ability to walk after an accident that left me paralyzed as a teen. In the hospital I kept a journal, and each night at midnight—under my covers, with my flashlight in one hand and a pencil and pad in the other, with 10,000 Maniacs playing “These Are The Days” and “Garden of Eden” in the background—I would write.

Here is a journal entry I wrote.

“Dear God, I believe You are with me—listening to me and answering my prayers. I feel lucky. I have You here. That’s because I’ve opened my heart, and I’m trying to more and more every day. I don’t know how I got so lucky. Because before this accident I didn’t know exactly how You worked. I was insecure because I didn’t know who I was.”

I would ask God to make me a better person. I was confused. I knew there was a God and that He was mighty, but I couldn’t grasp everything. I believed my prayers were answered through my tragedy. I was thankful, and I felt lucky that God saved me from the accident. The outpouring of love and support made me feel even more fortunate.

The passage continues.

“But now it’s like I have found myself, I know who I am, what I want, where I am going. And I’m sure of myself. I don’t know. But no matter what, I’m thankful. How did I get so lucky for you to help me and save me from the accident? And help me see clearly. I know it came from You.”

Every time I feel upset or down I try to revisit this place. A place where I was simply thankful (for breath and life). It makes all the other stuff seem not so important. I return to thankfulness and gratitude. This was a turning point, and it is from Chapter 2 of my book.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the book Not Without God: A Story of Survival and has created the Spinal Cord Injury Solutions! on line website. Zina works as an English Language Instructor, and has been an educator for nearly fifteen years her thousands of students have been from many parts of the world and she’s worked with all ages.

“Love Conquers All”

“Love is a force that is able to heal the worst of situations.” ~Zina Hermez

It’s one of my favorite quotes from my forthcoming book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. Love helped me heal from my accident on Oct. 18, 1994. The love from friends and family, and the love at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital was incomparable. It emanated from the doctors, the nurses, even the families of children who were ill. There was this energy I can’t explain, but it translated into a lot of love.

The reason I wrote Not Without God, is to share my story and how I healed from a catastrophic accident that left me paralyzed as a teen. I hope that through reading my book, others will be inspired and overcome their own challenges of any kind. I pray that through my story, others will be able to get insight into how to heal.

Today I’m grateful for the abilities I have and the ability to walk at all, and I have not given up. I went from being a popular teen to alone and handicapped. I was on a breathing machine. I could not talk. I could not move. I could not eat solid food in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for nearly a month. The only way to communicate was to write.

People tell me “you’re so strong” all the time. Perhaps I am; but for me to be here is a part of God’s plan. He controls everything. We have to understand that everything happens by Him and for Him. I think sometimes people have this misconception that they are rewarded because of their effort or hard work and things they do. Good things happen to them, and they get surprised when bad things occur. But God allows suffering sometimes. No matter how much I’ve been through, it’s nothing compared to what Jesus went through.

Today is Palm Sunday: the first day of Holy Week. Easter is on Sunday, April 20. No matter what our burdens, let us carry them and follow after Him.

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. —Isaiah 53:5