Bobbi Canaday Witness
I soon began to focus on my career instead of my family and God.
My Name is Roberta Canaday I go by Bobbi.I was raised and went to school thru the 6th grade in a denominational church.I never really felt the love of God. I thought God was up there somewherewith a whip just waiting for me to do something wrong so He could punishme. After my mid teen years, I quit going to church but still kept my yearlyobligation for fear of being excommunicated and going to Hell.
In my adult life, I was considered “successful”. I had a good career, myearning were in the high income area, I traveled, had a nice home, etc.
But, realistically, I was miserable. I worked six to seven days a week, 12hours a day. My marriage was in shambles, and my children on drugs. I didnot have time for anything other than my career. I was driven. In 1976 mybrother in law came from Canada on vacatiorn for the purpose of sharing theGood News ofthe Gospel.
My husband and I both werebornagain at that time. My zeal did not last long as I soon began to focuson my career instead of my family and God. When a disaster happened in mylife, I would focus on Jesus and call upon God. He was faithfufl and neverleft me. When I was out of that difficulty, I would again put God aside untilI needed Him.My lifehad no real value or purpose.
In 1985 I was diagnosed with parkinsons’ disease; I was 44 years old. By1989 my symptoms were really beginning to show in spite of the medication.In 1989 my company offered early retirement which I took advantage of. Istill was miserable and didn’t yet know God. The disease was also affectingmy emotions and I was suffering from mental illness in addition to everythingelse.
In 1992 I lost both parents 8 days apart in totally unrelated, sudden illnesses.This devestated me and the next two years found me in a mental hospital fora while and obsessed with suicide.
I tried running away and went to Europe. I was so miserable that I finalylost control and had two unsuccessful attempts at suicide. Upon my returnhome after 6 months, my husband told me he had found us a church and he hadattended a healing seminar. He told me that God could heal me.
I resented him for mentioning this to me. After all, I had prayed for healingbut felt God didn’t want to heal me for some reason.
That evening my husband left for a week to two weeks as he was a truck driver,This was in April of 1993. After he left, I found a book he had left me calledChrist the Healer by F. Bosworth. ISBN:0800751248. I reluctantly began readingand looking up every scripture it gave. Soon I began to have a little hope.
I soon realized that healing was a process that was to be obtained by faithin God. One night in May, 1993 I told God that I wanted to love Him, Jesusand the Holy Spirit. I was honest and said that I didn’t know if I lovedHim or not and I felt that when I said, “I love you Lord” I was giving Himlip service. I told God that if He truly was God, that I wanted to love Himmore than life itself and I wanted to know that I loved Him.
It was at that time I feel I was truly born again. I made Jesus the Lordof my life and He was faithful. I fell in love with Him and there was nodoubt. He showed me His love and mercy and I could not get enough of Hisword. I was in love with my Lord who over all these years that I used andabused Him, never left me.
In May, 1993 I also prayed for my total healing. I was instantly healed ofthe mental illness and have never had any medication for the mental illnessnor have I been under the doctors care. You see, He restored my soul (mindwill and emotions).
The healing for Parkinsons has been a process of increasing faith over thepast couple of years. My body is daily being healed and the symptoms arealmost non existant. Jesus is truly Lord over every area of my life. He alsohealed my marriage and delivered my children from drugs and the pit anddestruction.
I now live to worship Him!