It was 11:00 AM, eight years ago today, when I opened my eyes. I was still alive, barely alive. I spent the rest of the day, wired and tubed in my CCU bed at North Hills Hospital. The day before was a blur of disconnected memories. I remember getting the paper, EMS guys in my bedroom, a determined ER nurse, a screen showing my blocked heart, darkness, ventilator down my throat, my wife, my preacher, my girls, and more darkness.

By the end of the day, January 20, 2002, I had learned how to connect my scattered memories. The 19th will be forever marked as my "on the edge" day. My heart just shut down. Three times, I coded and three times, I was revived. The old ticker was still marking time, but in the words of the hospital staff I was a "miracle man." I was still alive.

"Still alive!" Thank you God!

During the next weeks, I had lots of time to think and re-think, to wonder and dream, to listen for God's voice. Of course, that time had always been there, I had just planned my life around it. But, God interrupted my plans and graced me with a precious gift, a vision of life after my day "on the edge." I had a story to tell, a reason to live, a path to walk, and eight years later, here I am, still walking the path.

By the way, the path has not been an easy one. There have been distractions, detours, breakdowns, and a few "questioning" moments along the way, but the path remains. God called me to step toward a vision beyond my skills, to an emerging goal that seems to be a moving target. We are using the web, email, radio spots, and video training to coach the next generation of faith giants. It's a 24/7 mission and the stories of God's fingerprints in this world are still the heart of it all.

He took my broken heart and replaced it with his.

He gave me a dream and energized the mission.

Today eight years from the challenge of a lifetime, I celebrate his faithfulness. Oddly enough, I spent yesterday struggling with our impossible financial situation, It seems we are on the verge of darkness, but today God has remind me of his power, After all, he is already calling others to help make this a "miracle month."

He is bringing together the resources he needs for his story to be told and retold. We are truly living in the middle of a "God Thing."

God has given me more time, not just time to breathe, but time to live fully alive for a mission of his calling. And I'm not the only one he is calling to his mission. Is he calling you?

Ron Rose
Faith Coaching Network
5001 Surrey Ct
North Richland Hills, TX 76180