By Grace Alone

By Thomas Roberts

Life can teach us some pretty-hard lessons, most of which we are totally unprepared for. By Grace Alone examines the pain and trials we all encounter when things suddenly go wrong. It's a story that proves there is always hope, even in the midst of hopelessness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9781645592488

Book preview

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By Grace Alone

Thomas J. Roberts

ISBN 978-1-64559-247-1 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64559-248-8 (Digital)

Copyright © 2019 Thomas J. Roberts

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books, Inc.

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

Table of Contents

The Only Constant Is Change

A Call Out of the Blue

I Was a Mess

A Trip to the Healing Rooms

Things Were Looking Up…and Then

Giving Back

The Dreaded Words

Choosing a Positive Team

No Worries

Plan of Attack and My First Surgery

Back to the Healing Rooms

I’m Stubborn but I’m Not Stupid

The Major Surgery—or Not?

The Return of John

Reversing the Ileostomy and Removing the Port

Medical Miracle?

Looking Back

It’s Up to You

About the Author

The Only Constant Is Change

In early 2005, there was no way to foresee the challenges that I would experience over the next six years. My life was about to change forever, and it wasn’t going to go according to my plan. After the closing of what was once a very successful business and with bankruptcy looming, I couldn’t help but look back and wonder if we could have done anything differently. Bills were piling up, and we were about to lose everything we had worked for over the last twelve years.

Ultimate Industries was a multimillion-dollar business that produced artificial rock waterfalls manufactured from spray-in-mold urethanes. The product’s realism and lightweight properties set us apart from all other artificial rock competitors. One of our best-selling units was a beautiful stacked limestone design measuring seven-foot-wide by six foot tall, yet weighing only 75 pounds. At trade shows, potential customers would stop by our booth with that deer-in-the-headlight look, asking how we moved such large boulders into the convention hall. We had fun playing on that theme, encouraging pictures to be taken as they held large boulders high over their heads.

Our family had built this business from the ground up, and by 1996—three years after its inception—we were the hit of every trade show we attended. We garnered Best in Show awards at several national trade shows, and numerous companies requested placement next to our booth in order to capitalize on our heavy sales traffic. By 2001, you could find our products in over 1,150 dealers throughout the United States and Canada. I was able to write and secure a United States utility patent for our process, which gave us much-desired competitive protection. Life could not have been better.

September 11, 2001 changed so many lives, and like most, I remember exactly where I was and how awful that day was. My wife, Connie, and I received a call from our pastor requesting that everyone meet at our church at 2:00 p.m. for prayer. As we left church late that afternoon, we were still distraught over the incredible loss that so many were experiencing. At that moment, I didn’t foresee that our lives would also change dramatically as a result of that day.

Many businesses experienced massive order cancellations over the weeks following this catastrophe, and ours was no exception. The country was in turmoil, and business generally suffers when we face economic uncertainty. Making matters worse was the fear of terrorism which only added to this uncertainty. The following day, our phones rang nonstop, and by day’s end, order cancellations exceeded 440,000 dollars. There was panic in the world, and artificial rock waterfalls were nonessential luxury items.

Over the next few years, we worked