Sabrina’s Dream

Pastor Dewey Moede Note: From time to time the Lord shows me someone I am to ask to share their testimony. I have asked Sabrina Jackson of Albuquerque, New Mexico to share with us her walk with God! I have known Sabrina and her wonderful husband Mike for years. They traveled with me to serve during the Revival this past August at the First Baptist Church in Reserve, NM. Sabrina is such an awesome singer for God and Mike is an inspiration for his deep knowledge of God’s Word. Sabrina and Mike have inspired Sharon and I in so many ways. When I read Sabrina’s testimony, it inspired me even more. I’m believing that Sabrina’s testimony will bring thousands to our Lord Jesus Christ!!

Sabrina’s Dream

The Relationship

My name is Sabrina . I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at the age of 7. We attended Muldoon Road Baptist Church in Anchorage, Alaska. During one Sunday night revival in October, I was running down the isle to the altar to receive Jesus into my heart. Pastor Chron explained the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus to me. I wanted and needed to know this peace that the missionary to Africa had shared that night. I prayed, believed and received Jesus in my heart. I started sharing my story with all the kids at school the next day.

The Dreams

My first dream when was 7 years old was to be an Olympic runner when I was young. I could out run every kid that lived on our block at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, Alaska. I almost beat my Mom in a 100 meter dash in the summer time when I was nine years old. Mom beat me by two strides. I was determined to keep working hard at my running.

My second dream, when I was 9 years old was to be a famous Gospel singer like Mahalia Jackson. I would sing all the time. Mom has always said I was born singing on perfect pitch. The passion in my heart was I would be a “Gospel singer who ran in the Olympics”.

The Pain

Years later while we lived in Cochiti Lake, New Mexico. I use to love running in the high desert hills. Racing up and down trails was one of my favorite things to do. One mid-summer afternoon, I was running down the hill on my way home from the recreation center. I got down the hill and I was starting up the last hill, my right foot, my left foot. . . I heard this very loud pop in my back. The pain was so great I fell to the ground. I could barely move. I hobbled the rest of the way home crying. Mom tried to comfort me. Nothing seemed to help the pain. I was hunched over. Mom and Dad took me to Kirtland Air Force Base Hospital in Albuquerque. The doctors did a series of x-rays on me spine. They came to the decision I had a pinched nerve. I knew in my heart it was something more.

Carrie Tingley Hospital

I was referred to Carrie Tingley Hospital in T or C, New Mexico. The orthopedic surgeons ran several tests on my spine, and pulmonary functions.

The medical doctors determined had a severe disease called Scoliosis. The curvature in my spine was 65 degrees on my top left shoulder blade, and 45 degrees to the right in my right back rib cage. I was crooked like the letter “S”. (Shaped like an S, my name starts with an S).

The scoliosis stunted my bone growth by several inches. I was originally suppose to stand 5’9” or 5’10” in height. The curvature would continually progress and crush my lungs and heart. The doctors said that I wouldn’t live past 28 years old. My lungs were only functioning at 45 percent capacity.

I was also told that I would never be able to carry or birth a child. I was told I would never be able to run again. My heart was crushed.

The doctors tried putting me traction machines trying to stretch my neck and body for 2 weeks, 24 hours a day. Nothing worked. The doctors determined I needed to have surgery on my spine, to try and re-correct the curvature as best as they could. My parents and I decided that’s what needed to be done.

My faith in Jesus Christ and reading His Word is what gave me supernatural strength to stand on scripture promises. Dr. M and Dr. S told my parents there might be a possibility that I might become paralyzed from the surgery.

My Statement

I kept telling the doctors they would see God’s healing hand on my spine. I told them they will witness the power of God in the operating room. They couldn’t deny that there wasn’t a God. I shared my faith with the doctors. The said they were atheists and didn’t believe in God. They believed in medical science.

Pre-Surgery

I was assigned a sweet nurse by the name of Rachel. Rachel attended to me and prepped me for surgery. She would come and visit me after her shift was over. Rachel sang, played her guitar and read scriptures to me. It really had an impact on me. She sang Christian Marantha music to me. I remember praying to the Lord when I turned 17, I would sing and play the guitar for people. By His grace, I’ve been able to do so. Rachel gave me 4 shots in each thigh to numb me and put me to sleep for my surgery. I remember praying with her and I was asleep. (Years later I would run into Rachel in the grocery store in my early 20’s).

The Surgery

My surgery last 9 – 10 hours. Rachel was in the surgery room too. The medical doctors opened up my spine. When that happened my twisted spine move 25 degrees correction on its own. The medical team witnessed “this event.”

My surgery was complex in nature. The doctors had to crack my spine at the base of my neck and L4. They inserted a Harrington Rod, 28 inches long with metal clamps. They then wrapped my back from my neck to my pelvis in a body cast.

Post-Surgery

I woke up after my surgery 3 days later. I was lying on a metal bed of ice. I forgot I had surgery and tried to sit up. I screamed in severe pain. I looked over to see my Mom and Dad standing near my bed. I couldn’t move my right side. I remember my Dad and Mom stepped out into the hallway and started to cry. I kept saying these few scriptures to myself. 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.” I also kept saying

Isaiah 53:5 “by His stripes I am healed”. It reads, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him’ and with his stripes we are healed.”

I clearly remember Dr. H walked into my hospital room to read my charts and check on me. He walked in backwards and said very little to me. He looked at my chart. He told me surgery went well. I had slight paralysis on my right side. I might regain use of my right side. He seemed very cold.

I asked Dr. H what was wrong. Why wouldn’t he look at me? He said He couldn’t look at me. I told Dr. H, that you saw the power of God in the operating room. Dr. H said he couldn’t admit that there was a God. He did say the a ‘power and force’ moved in the OR during my surgery. Dr. H walked out of my room. I told him that ‘Jesus loves you” and “He was my Healer”. I never saw Dr. H again. Dr. M took over the case (he was the head orthopedic surgeon).

The Recovery

My body cast was my “cocoon”. I started art and physical therapy laying in the hospital bed. I was paralyzed on the right side of my body. I couldn’t move my right arm or right leg. I was determined that the the Lord would bless me to regain my movement on the right side of my body. I kept thanking Him for touching my body. I forced myself to learn to write and paint with my left hand. I am right-handed naturally.

I regained movement on my right side 2 weeks after my surgery. It was very slow at first. Thank God for that miracle! I then lost my ability to walk.

The 3^rd week into my therapy the nurses tried to stand me up on walking bars. I could stand, but I couldn’t move my legs at all. I kept reading my Bible and quoting the healing scriptures that I had learned about. I couldn’t move.

I started to cry. I told the Lord I would praise Him even if I never moved again. I would sing for Him. I would play for Him. I would run for Him. One more week went by. I finally started to regain the ability to walk again.

I wore my body cast for 9 months. I had my first cast on for 6 months. My second cast was for 3 months. I stretched 4 inches after my surgery. My neck stretched. My toes stretched out.

My “cocoon” became my “place of refuge”. I grew and developed in the body cast. I also grew spiritually in my walk with the Lord. I eventually got my cast off. Finally, I could enjoy a nice long hot bath.

I couldn’t run for years after my surgery. I still have some slight disability.

Years later, in January 2003, I had surgery for herniated discs at levels L5, S1. I was starting to get crippling sciatica. The surgery was very hard to recover from at the age of 42. I was bed ridden for 3 months. I couldn’t do anything for myself.

My beloved husband, Mike, helped me do everything. He would shower me, feed me, dress me and rotate me in bed every 2 hours so I wouldn’t get bed sores. He would schedule his garage door appointments around taking care of me.

The Dream Lived Out

I am living out my dream as an Olympic champion. I am an Olympic champion for Christ. God has given me “second chances” in life.

He has given me the opportunity to sing, record, travel and share the love of Jesus. My singing voice is His gift. It is not my gift. He gave me the miracle on the operating table. He gave me back the gift of movement. He gave me the gift of “running the race of life”. He gave me a “second chance” with the gift of recovery from breast cancer. He gave me the gift of being a music teacher. I can’t wait to see what the Lord does in the future.

My passion is Jesus! My passion is my husband, Mike! My passion is my family! My passion to live and share His love and amazing saving grace! My passion is to tell you that Jesus loves you! He wants to have a living and personal relationship with you. He gives you the ability to breathe and function in life every day. His creation is real. His love is real. Eternity with Him can be real for you. Just open your heart, pray, believe and receive that He died for your sins on the cross. He rose again on the third day so you could have eternal life with him.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16 & 17) “Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

When people see me, I stand a little taller. I’m a little straighter. I’m still crooked in my spine. My surgery was a gift. It saved my life. With my slight deformity and slight disability, I can freely share about what the Lord has done for me! Yes, life is complicated. It’s hard. It has its struggles. It has its strengths. The greatest gift and comforter to help all of us to “overcome” life and give life abundantly is Jesus! God is truly amazing and He loves you!

Sabrina Jackson in Albuquerque, NM