NEVER THOUGHT I'D KNOW GOD LIKE THIS

June 11, 2015 marked 4 years since my mom picked me up from the hotel to take me to Greenwood, SC. The night before that my Dad and I slept in a bed for the first time in 3 days. More than that if we're talking comfortable bed. First time taking a shower in days. First time taking a good shower in probably weeks. Just coming off sleeping in a van in parking lots and spending the day at the park. Dad took Ginger, our dog at the time, to the human society. I really don't know what happened to her after that, but I like to think that she found a good home. I hate to think the worse. I wasn't the best owner when it came to Ginger...

Back to that day of June 11, 2011. Mom picked me up and I had some of my clothes in a garbage bag. I was badly in need of a haircut. And I got one. No charge at that.

A lot has changed since 2011. I've been in the hospital twice for high blood pressure. I got a full time job and got fired after a year and 4 months. Had a few temp jobs. Finally got my drivers license.  I became one of the sound men at church. I started teaching Bible Study on Wednesday Nights. To the same most of the same folk my Dad was the pastor over. Never thought that would happened. I remember when Bishop Johnson would ask me, "You're going to be preacher like your dad?" I would quickly shut that down. I really should've known better than that. My mom and Dad both teachers in their own right, and now here I am. My current pastor would ask me, "Daniel, are you ready to teach?" My eyes would get wide and I would say, "No sir." The seeds were watered.

Now negative, I'm staying under my mom's apartment at 28 wasn't a life goal I had in life. Neither was going to the E.R. Never thought I'd still be single and not ever have a date. I'm learning more and more that God's timing is not our timing. Never thought I'd have an EBT card at 28. Never wanted that to happen. Never thought I'd be starting the day off taking 6 pills for my blood pressure, weak heart, and one kidney. Never thought I'd be on a low sodium diet. But God is still faithful.

Song writer said, "Who would've thought I know You [God] this way?" I will admit that resistance is not my strong suit, but I am still here by the Grace of God. I'm also learning how to be myself. Like really not be ashamed of Daniel Richerson. I am who I am. I'm crazy. I'm learning I have a choice to be weird or mopey. I choose to be my weird self more than my mad mopey self. I tell my family all the time in responds to "You seem chipper today."I say, "It's better than the other mood right?"

God is not through with me yet.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson

CAN'T BE SILENT ANYMORE

October 03, 2013 I posted a blog entitled, THIS BLOG POST SHOULDN'T EVEN EXIST, BUT GOD. Reason why I wrote that blog was to tell a little bit of the story of me going to the hospital that September because of my blood pressure and shortness of breath. I got out of the hospital for what I thought was motivation of a lifestyle change. Changed the way I ate, and all that. Only when it came time to testify that God brought me out of the hospital, I didn't say anything. Of course I blogged it, but life and death lies in the power of the tongue. I wasn't that good in biology, but I do know that my fingers have no tongue. Also what I didn't blog about, the hospital bill got wiped away through some kind of program through the particular hospital I was at. Again, said nothing.

December 25, 2014, over a year later. Back to the E.R. for the same issue. The night before I couldn't sleep a wink. I tried to lay down, but every time I couldn't breathe. I was also coughing my lungs out as well. So went to the E.R., and again, my blood pressure was sky high. How high? I would venture to say higher than Snoop Dogg on a 4/20. Of course got checked in to the hospital, and spent my Christmas in the hospital. During this stay, I found out that my heart was weak, and also that I have one functioning kidney. At age 27, this is unheard of. All the nurses, said, how did this happen? I really didn't have straight answer. But in all honesty, I didn't care about myself. I felt like no one REALLY cared, so I didn't care. Notice, I put the "really" in caps. I heard people say they cared, but in my mind, they were just staying face. I didn't buy it.

"What the devil meant for evil, God turned it around for my good."

The calls to my family, Facebook posts, some Instagram comments, and even a snapchat. I really felt that people cared for my well being. I can't tell y'all how happy I was to finally get out that hospital gown, and finally sleep in my own bed again. I was let out on that next Monday. That Wednesday night, I went to Watch Night at my church, Prayer and Faith Ministries COGIC where the pastor is Pastor Anderson Gray, I got a chance to testify and this time I did it. First words out my mouth, "I know if I didn't do this, I'd get a whuppin'."

Psalms 30:11-12 KJV

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Romans 8:28 KJV

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Again, I want to say thank you for all the prayers and the thoughts. As I'm typing this my weight is coming down, and my blood pressure is doing well. I've been taking my medicine and sticking to a low sodium food plan. Don't stop praying, the Lord is nigh. Don't stop praying, He'll hear your cry. For the Lord has promised, and His Word is true. Just don't stop praying, He'll answer you.

Stay Saved,

Daniel Richerson