"It's time to get up, you've slept long enough..." are the words my mother said to me when I was young... With covers pulled over my head, I'd mock her, repeating her annoying words. This didn't just happen on weekdays; but weekends as well. I was a late sleeper, I figured if God had intended for me to be an early riser, He would have equipped me with an internal clock that automatically went off every morning at five or six a.m. My mom was raised on a farm where work started at the break of dawn. "No rest for the wicked" a phrase her parents used to say to her, that she now uttered to me... Those very words echoed in my head day after day.

Even today, I can still sleep in until nine or ten a.m. (if given the opportunity.) Please, don't get me wrong, I've always wished I could get an earlier start to the day; but, my body just does not respond well to the abrasive tone of an early morning alarm clock, as a matter-of-fact, I physically get sick if I get out of bed too early. Really!

Our physical bodies endure much during the course of a day; thus, we need to sleep/rest as much as possible to ensure good physical health. God teaches us to rest, so rest is good; but, are we asleep spiritually? Mom may have been on to something about getting up early. The words "early in the morning" appear dozens of times in the Bible. "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard"(NIV, Matt.20.1). It's never too early to awaken!

I believe it is our responsibility as Christians to spread the gospel and shine light into a dark world. The only way we can do this is by having an ongoing, "awake" relationship with Christ, the redeemer who raises us from darkness and into newness of life. I came into this Light when I was 19 and what a glorious light it was. I felt as if I had zipped off my skin and walked into a new world! I entered the Kingdom of God as a new creature ready to live a life in; and, through Christ Jesus.

I suddenly has a desire to follow, serve and please God. I was blessed with insight and understanding about the person that God called me to be. I now understand that I was called to share my testimony about my life. God showed me that through him I could be made whole... Me.... a person born with an irreversible birth abnormality which limited the use of my lower legs and feet. From childhood, my parents were told that I would never walk; and, my lower extremities were useless. They were advised to place me in an assisted living facility because the burden to care for me would be heavy. Thank God this news awoke a new desire in my parents to help me overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. It has been challenging for my parents and I; but, with God's healing touch, I began walking at the age of 18 months.

ऀAfter nearly 30 years, I left behind my career to obey the call of God. I wrote my first book "Labeled by Humanity, Loved by God" in which I share the details of my relationship with Him. I have relied upon God to provide things that allow me to continue to walk on a daily basis. He has held and kept me during the darkest of times, always reassuring me by providing me with the things I need to continue my walk, things like prosthetics, shoes, endurance for perpetual pain, love, the comfort and support from family and friends; and, the encouragement to keep going. Every time someone told me there was something I "Can't" do..God whispered to me "yes,.. you Can"... For every time someone told me that I "wouldn't" be able to accomplish a task...God whispered "Yes.., you Will" and for every specialist/doctor that told my parents that there was no one who could help us "God said... I will"

So, Brothers and Sisters in Christ I say to you.. let your testimony be heard... give God the praise he deserves..."It's time to get up...You've slept long enough!"

God Bless!

Tammy P. Stafford ..."Labeled by Humanity, Loved by God" is available at: Amazon.com & Barensandnoble.com

Copyright © 2011 Tammy P. Stafford, All rights reserved