"Stop Smoking Miracle"

 

One month to the day of the 911 attack, I was with a friend at her house enjoying a board game while we awaited the President’s TV appearance in Oct. 11th, 2001. I was at the end of a cold but still determined to have my cigarettes while we discussed the horrible tragedy of 911.

I probably smoked more than usual due to stress, but my cold was determined to slow it down. Regardless, I smoked, coughed, and felt guilty. My specialty.

On my drive home I decided I would take a couple of days off from smoking to help my lungs out a little. I am so kind to myself, aren’t I? I didn’t smoke on the way home as my lungs were hurting pretty badly. I realized at one point that I seemed to have much more chest pain than my other smoking buddies, but that didn’t help me quit.

When I got home I laid down next to my sleeping husband and began to pray. I was so full of dread and sadness for the world. I began to ask God to help us, to help them, to help… I am asking for world peace. I laughed and said, “I guess I am not the first to ask for that.”

As I was praying my lungs were hurting really badly. I pressed my hands on my chest and coughed and hoped the cold would pass quickly. I felt so incredibly guilty that I had this dialog open with God and at the same time pretending He doesn’t know that I feel guilty for polluting my body. I simply stopped and said to God that I wasn’t sure if I could pray for myself, not really sure how to, but please help my pain in my chest. In Jesus’ name, please help me.

The instant I said “me” I felt, heard, and saw a light “crack” in my chest. A pop. And my lungs filled with air deeper than ever before. I took another deep breath. Keep in mind, I have not been able to breath deeply in years without a sharp pain in my chest. I went dizzy with shock. I certainly didn’t expect an answer much less to be healed! ALL of my pain was gone and I was breathing so deep.

I had smoked for about 20 years and not Yoga or anything has enabled me to breath so easily. Yoga is usually where I struggle for breath.

I jumped out of bed and paced in my living room as I just experienced the most incredible personal touch from God I could ever imagine. It was a little scary, and a lot incredible.

Needless to say, I have not smoked another cigarette. The strange thing is is I couldn’t even handle smoke from a fireplace after that night. I felt like I had brand new baby lungs or something. My friend said I got “a do-over.” She was right. I am now able to sit next to a fire these days, but cigarette smoke is out of the question. I am humbled.

DeLayna
Charlotte, NC