If you are a born again Christian, then you have a faith story. A story that brings Glory to God, not because of what you have done, but what the Lord has done for you. As a child I professed the need to be “saved,” but in my formative years, I never really needed to depend on Jesus.

However, on March 25, 1992, my life changed forever. At 21 years old, I was adjusting to married life, yet still very connected to my parents, J.C and Connie Parham and my only brother Joshua. We were the kind of family that did everything, even work, together.

Unfortunately, on that defining date in my life, my brother Joshua, 19 years old, decided to change the oil and brakes on his truck alone. He had been taught to use blocks as a precaution, but that day he used only a jack. When the jack collapsed, the weight of the truck instantly took Josh's life. My parents were further traumatized, as they were the ones to find their son lifeless.

In the weeks and months afterwards, my parents, myself, and my sweet husband were paralyzed with grief. I have no doubt that Jesus carried us just like in the poem “Footprints in the Sand.” We didn't have the strength to do anything, yet somehow life continued all around us as if all was right in the world. I think that is one of the hardest things...that life goes on with or without the person that you don't think you can live without. Thankfully, God had a plan and used his precious servants from the local church to redeem us. Spirit-filled Christians helped us to seek healing and hope for the future. God would begin a mighty work in all of our lives.

After just three short years, the Lord would give my husband and me the desire to bring a baby into our lives. We were in shock when local doctors diagnosed us as an infertile couple. The facts were made clear, but we knew in our hearts that God wanted us to share our faith and love with a baby. We were not shy about asking our church family to pray for a miracle. Within a blink of an eye, we were referred to doctors at Emory in Atlanta for an experimental procedure that would involve invitro fertilization. Knowing that ultimately God is in control and that all things are possible, we soon had our little miracle baby on the way! Of course he would be my brother’s namesake and have a strong bibllical name. Our Joshua Caleb was born on May 26, 1995, and we praised God for our most precious gift!

No one, not even a baby, can make up for the loss of a loved one, but a sweet bundle from heaven does bring hope and healing. Therefore, after experiencing the joy of parenthood we couldn't wait to have another child. Again we asked for prayer and headed to the doctors. Our second in-vitro attempt failed, although I knew in my heart that we were to have another baby. This time our sweet little bundle would come to us in the miracle of an 11-month-old baby girl who needed a family to love and care for her. In just one short week, we learned of her story, knew we'd be blessed to get her, and then held her in our arms! When we gained a daughter, we wanted her name to also bring Glory to God. Her name, Abigail, means “the father’s joy,” and, oh, how she gives us joy beyond measure. Her middle name is Grace for God’s Amazing Grace.

My life’s verse is Psalms 37:4: “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

For everything there is a season, and I am forever grateful for the season that Jesus carried me. He has taught me so much already and continues to use life's daily circumstances to “grow” me. I know that God has a plan and a purpose for everything. I may not know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future and that gives me peace and strength to face each day.

Elise Vickers has been happily married to Scott Vickers for 21 years and is a proud homeschooling mom to Caleb (15) and Abigail (12). They reside in Warner Robins and attend Harmony Community Church in Byron.