If you ever have struggled or if you are currently in pain, be encouraged by the life and legacy of Miss Vickie. This beautiful southern belle will inspire you to keep moving and hoping for better days! As God would have it, this 4 foot humble giant of faith was born unto Frederick Eugene (Gene) and Virginia Alene Brae on May 10, 1955 in Borger, Texas. Her one gorgeous sister Ginger is a proud witness of the powerful resilience that Vickey continues to display. When Vickie and Ginger’s beloved mother died during childbirth in August 1963, they were both devastated. Vickie was just 8 years old and Ginger 5. By November 1963 the traumatized little Miss Vickie began her life of agonizing physical pain. For 2 years she was bedridden and receiving gold shots for rheumatoid arthritis. Her dad kept her mind occupied with a microscope and a telescope. Papa Gene also had a Kodak camera that he kept focused on all the beauty.  The pediatric specialist at MD Anderson reported that the progressive RA disease hit Vickie’s tiny body like a tornado. Quickly it eroded all her joints and in 1976 at the age of 17 during her right knee replacement, feeling the excruciating pain, her spirit rose above the operating table into a brilliant light filled peaceful Presence. Vickie carefully recounts her divine experience of basking in the pain free existence outside of her body. The glorious peace was such a wonderful escape from the life she had known, but when the soft voice of the brilliant Presence asked, “Do you want to go back?” Vickie did not hesitate. “Yes, my dear grandmother raised me and now she needs me, I must go back.” Vickie consistently thinks of others before she thinks of herself. Prior to her surgery she walked on her ankles because of the unbearable pain. At age 22 with both knees replaced she had acquired her ASCP certificate from the American Society of Pathology as well as a degree in Microbiology from the University of Texas at Austin. Vickie was hired by Holy Cross Hospital in the Microbiology Department.

The most astonishing part of my interview with Vickie is how God had literally erased all memory of her childhood suffering. Many marvel at how she lives life as if she has zero disability. Vickey told me, “Life is short and as an overcomer, I gratefully do as much as I can with the days I have been gifted! My life is a precious miracle! Having lived 70 years without a wheelchair, I am truly blessed and I sincerely would not change a thing. God’s plan for me on earth has not been easy, but He has provided me with so many wonderful opportunities to be a light for others. In the hospital I was His instrument of peace.” In 2018 Vickie came to Mexico to explore the beauty and the culture. She bought and decorated a small casa to accomodate seasons spent in the tropics. While engaging with a new circle of friends, she inspired a few to join her in diving! On her tiny frame she wears a tank and fins with a smile! All geared up to dive into  beautiful waters to see and touch the grandeur! Fearless and going for the gusto, Vickie thrives without limits.

While working at St. David Hospital Vickie met Robert Bailey.  After dating a few years they decided to get married. She soon realized that they were unequally yoked but she endured his addiction to alcohol for more than a decade. A divorce in 1991 set her free from the impossible burden to fix anyone.  Little Vickie then quickly got certified to scuba dive. Miss Vickie’s joy for living has inspired many who have  greater mobility. “I had a blast on my Scuba diving trips in Costa Rica and Cozumel!” In 2018 her trip to Israel was a time of great admiration of all the miles Jesus walked and for all He suffered to give His beloved a new life “in Him.” We pray for Vickie as she moves back to Texas for what God has planned next! We celebrate her humble, silent witness and mighty impact on earth. Yes, all saints plan to hear Vickie’s eternal voice singing praises in heaven. 1 Peter 5:7-11 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” Morning prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come before you today with a heart overflowing with gratitude, thanksgiving and praise. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of another day, for the breath in my lungs, for the strength in my body, for the sound mind you’ve blessed me with. Thank You for opening my eyes this morning, for keeping me through the night, for Your angels that encamp around me. Help me Lord to never take life in You for granted. Every sunrise is a reminder of Your faithfulness. Every heartbeat is a testimony of Your grace. Every new day is proof that You still have a purpose for my life. Lord, I exalt Your name Jesus!  You are Jehovah, the self existent one. You are El Shaddai, the only true God who is more than enough. You are Adonai, my Lord and my master. You are Jehovah Jireh, my provider. You are Jehovah Rapha, my healer. You are Jehovah Nissi, my banner of victory. You are Jehovah Shalom, my peace in every storm. I worship You not because of what You do, but because of who You are. You are holy, righteous, faithful, loving, merciful, and kind. Father, I thank You for making me a strong woman. I thank you that strength is not just physical, it’s spiritual, it’s emotional. It’s the ability to keep trusting God when everything around me says give up. It’s the courage to keep praying when my prayers seem unanswered. It’s the faith to keep believing when circumstances scream otherwise. Lord, I know my strength doesn’t come from myself. It comes from heaven. When I am weak, You are strong. When I am tired, You renew my strength. When I feel like I can’t take another step, You carry me. Thank You for bringing me such fantastic sisters in Christ! Amen

Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by FAITH into this GRACE in which we now stand. And we boast in the HOPE of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also GLORY in our SUFFERINGS, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; character; and hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Isaiah 40:31 gives me hope. “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.” I see myself soaring above this world. I see myself running and walking in my glorified body because of Your faithfulness, not my own. Thank you, Lord, for every blessing that You pour into my life. Thank You for my sisters, for the people You’ve placed around me who love me, support me, and encourage me. Thank you for all provision and for protecting me and keeping me safe from dangers seen and unseen. Thank You for open doors and for closed doors. I now understand that sometimes Your greatest blessings come in the form of a no that redirects me to something even better. Father, I thank You for the breakthroughs I’ve already experienced. I remember when I thought I wouldn’t make it, but You brought me through. I remember when I was overwhelmed, but You gave me peace. I remember when I was confused, but you gave me clarity.   Every day I am reminded that You are faithful, that You keep Your promises, that You never leave me nor forsake me. I thank You for the doors that are about to open. I thank You for keeping me close and for the peace that floods my heart.  My faith in You never lets my soul despair. What I don’t see yet, Father, I believe it is very good! I call those things that are not as though they are, because your word says in Romans 4:17, that You give life to the dead and call into being things that were not. So, I’m calling forth breakthrough right now in Jesus name.

Lord Jesus, empower me to walk in boldness, in authority, in confidence. Let the fruit of the spirit be evident in my life. Love that is totally unconditional, joy that’s unshakable, peace that surpasses understanding, patience that endures, kindness that overflows, goodness that shines, and faithfulness that’s unwavering. Help my gentleness to heal, and my self-control to keep me grounded. Help me to be a reflection of Christ in everything I do. Let my words bring life, hope, and encouragement to everyone I encounter. Let my actions demonstrate Your love in practical ways. May my life be a living testimony that points others to You. Father, I place the remainder of my days into Your mighty hands. Let everything I do bring glory to Your name. Open doors of opportunity that no man can shut. Bring divine connections and ideas that will propel me forward. I trust that You are my Source, my Provider, my Sustainer. You will supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory. I walk in abundance, because that’s the inheritance You’ve prepared for Your children. Lord, I thank You for the delight of being an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and my testimony. AMEN

Thinking of Hannah in the Bible, a woman who knew what it meant to wait, to hope, and to believe in the invisible God of heaven for the impossible. Year after year, she faced the mockery and the misunderstanding of those around her, but she didn’t give up. She kept praying. She kept believing. She kept trusting that You heard her. And Father, You saw her tears and felt her pain. Lord, just like You were faithful to her, You have been faithful to me.
Then the orphan Esther, became a woman who was positioned for such a time as this. She didn’t choose her circumstances, but she chose to trust You in the middle of them. She could have played it safe, but instead, Esther stepped into her purpose with courage, with faith, and boldness. Lord, I believe You have positioned me for such a time as this. You’ve placed me where I am for a reason. You’ve given me influence for a purpose. You’ve equipped me with gifts and talents that are meant to impact the kingdom. Give me the courage of Esther to step into everything You’ve called me to do. Let me be bold and brave as I face the unknown of tomorrow. Let me be a woman who has an impact because I know the God who holds the world in His hands. Lord, I declare and decree that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. That every tongue that rises against me in judgment, I condemn it right now in the name of Jesus. I take authority over every plan, every scheme, every attack of the enemy that is designed to bring confusion, destruction, fear, or doubt into my life. With authority I cancel it. I render it powerless through the blood of Jesus Christ. The enemy has no authority over me, no claim on my life, no access to my peace. I am covered by the blood of the Lamb. I am sealed by the Holy Spirit. I am protected by the angels of the Lord. I stand in the victory that was already won at Calvary, and I refuse to live in defeat. Hallelujah!

Father, let my thoughts be pure, focused, aligned with Your word. Guard my heart from bitterness, from unforgiveness, from pride. Protect my body and keep me in health and strength. As it is written in Psalm 91:11, “for He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” I claim that promise over my household right now. I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and I abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Lord, I pray for divine wisdom and discernment in every decision I make. Help me to see clearly, to think clearly, to choose wisely. When I am faced with options, show me the path You want me to take. When I am confused, speak clarity into my spirit. When I’m uncertain, give me peace about the right direction. Your word says in James 1:5, “if any of you lacks wisdom, let them ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to them.” So, I’m asking, Father, I need Your wisdom. I need Your guidance. I need Your insight. Help me not to lean on my own understanding, but to acknowledge You in all my ways, trusting that You will direct my paths. Holy Spirit, I invite you to fill me afresh. Hallelujah and Amen

A life lived on purpose! From Vickie, ” Dear Barbara, I had so many tears 😢 reading this it took me a LONG time to finish. I know Jesus and the Holy Spirit are guiding you every minute of every day. Thank you for giving my testimony a true focused perspective that only you could do. Thank you for helping me with getting my real life feelings out and into words. This will not remain only as a post! All praise and glory to God and His grace. AMEN