10.25.2011
Amazing Grace

We received this testimony in response to our article posted on September 28, titled “Faith.”

What a blessing, this story brought tears to my eyes. I have a son that was born with an inoperable pituitary tumor, epilepsy, and severe mental retardation. Although he is now 30 years old, he is about 6 years mentally. He lived in a state institution most of his life due to violent, aggressive behaviors.

His seizures could not be controlled. He had around 150 a month. We tried to bring him home, but he would beat his hands through window and pound his head into the wall, leaving large holes and plaster everywhere. He had amazing strength, and would scream and run through the room, breaking pictures, throwing furniture, and violently attacking anyone in his path. It took several people to hold him down.

After many times of having to call an ambulance and take him back to the institution by police, we finally stopped bringing him home.

Finally, the institution where he lived closed, and he was sent home to live. We had a staff to help for part of the day and some overnights. Through trusting God and much prayer, we have seen wonderful changes in our son’s life. I began to read Bible stories to him and to teach him that there is a power greater than him that he could turn to.

When the rages would come on him, his face would look distorted. He would bare his teeth and scream and beat at the air. But then he would turn his face to me and yell, “Mom, let’s talk to God!” Sometimes this would happen several times during a rage before he would get the victory.

Today he is sweet, and very gentle and well behaved. His seizures are down to 35 to 40 a month. The rages that once held him prisoner are no longer a threat to him. He loves to hear the Word, and sing gospel songs. His speech is slurred and his words are few, but when I pray over him that God will fill him with His Spirit, he sometimes will hold tightly to my clothes, not wanting me to stop praying.

I thank God for doing the impossible in my son’s life. I look anxiously to the day that he is completely restored. For if he could speak, he would say, “Once I lived in an institution. I was tormented, alone, separated from my family, but by Amazing Grace, now I am free.”

Sister Marcia