Turning Points 2

By Mary Lee

Are you at a turning point in your life?

Allow one woman's journey to encourage you and inspire you as you laugh and cry with her through these pages. Through her setbacks, as well as her victories, you will be stirred and motivated to seek your own destiny that has been planned for you since the beginning of time.

From a point of going blind to fighting a battle with multiple sclerosis and diabetes to producing radio programs, Mary Lee has traveled through numerous turning points in her life. She shares each one in this book. Her faith in God gave her the strength that delivered her out of many tribulations. The Word of God states that "you will have many tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the World" (John 16:33). She ultimately knew that she would have to stay close to her fundamental connection--her one Lord to whom she gives all praise.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9798889430155

Book preview

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Turning Points 2

Mary Lee

ISBN 979-8-88943-014-8 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88943-015-5 (digital)

Copyright © 2024 by Mary Lee

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.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Endorsements

To my God, whose mercies are new every day, whose love is everlasting, and whose guidance is there for the asking.

To my late husband, David, who always supported me and loved me during this process.

And to my new husband, David, who has provided me with encouragement and fortitude.

To my children, may the words of this book reflect the heart of a mother who loved them more than they could ever know.

Foreword

Preface

First Turning Point

The Beginning

Second Turning Point

An 80 Percent Possibility of Loss of Sight

Third Turning Point

Mother of Five, Including Triplets

Fourth Turning Point

Change Unexpected

Fifth Turning Point

Recovery and Rejuvenation

Sixth Turning Point

A New Prayer Language

Seventh Turning Point

Not This, Lord!

Eighth Turning Point

A New Beginning

Ninth Turning Point

Rocky Road

Tenth Turning Point

Reconciliation God's Way

Eleventh Turning Point

Turning My Will Over

Twelfth Turning Point

No Turning Back!

Thirteenth Turning Point

Ministry Revealed

Fourteenth Turning Point

Radio Ministry and More

Fifteenth Turning Point

Triumphing in Life

Sixteenth Turning Point

From Sad to Glad

About the Author

Endorsements

Upon first meeting Mary Lee, I was immediately struck by her welcoming smile and compassionate persona. Over the years that I have known Mary Lee, she has exhibited an amazing sensitivity to the nudges of the Holy Spirit. More than once, during dark times in my life, I have received a call from halfway across the country and picked up my phone to hear her encouraging voice on the other end. Many times, I have written down her words to me so that I may revisit them as sources of light in my day.

Mary Lee doesn't hesitate to open up her world to others so that others can find hope in the One who has been so faithful to her. I am struck by her innate ability to sense God's timing, and in my opinion, she is truly a modern-day prophet. And in these pages, you will come to know Mary Lee through her story. And in doing so, you will see his story.

Ellen Bishop

Business Owner, RE Broker

Concord, Massachusetts

During the time that I have known Mary Lee, she has been a person who walks with the light of Jesus. She has offered me many countless hours of Christian advice and prayers. Her work in the ministry of reconciliation is one of honor. May the Lord continue to increase your territory. In Jesus's name. Amen!

Michelle Sullivan

Ministers Alliance of Rhode Island

Providence, Rhode Island

To my God, whose mercies are new every day, whose love is everlasting, and whose guidance is there for the asking.

To my late husband, David, who always supported me and loved me during this process.

And to my new husband, David, who has provided me with encouragement and fortitude.

To my children, may the words of this book reflect the heart of a mother who loved them more than they could ever know.

Foreword

Mary Lee came to us in January of 2000. As soon as I saw her, I knew there was something different about her. When she came in and sat down in my office and I started talking to her, I realized she had such an anointing on her as I had never seen before. She had a glow about her that attracted people to her. As time went on, I saw her touch people with her quiet peace and anointing touch. I saw people healed both physically and spiritually. In my life, I saw someone who was obedient to God and continually dying to herself. Mary Lee was not only a tremendous blessing to me and the ministry but also an inspiration to me and my walk with the Lord.

Patricia Dempster

Executive Director

Because He Lives Ministries

Preface

There is a message on these pages. Each chapter has a theme that relates to this message. And that message is about change—changes that actually took place in one specific life. I call them turning points. These very special times and this particular life could have been looked upon as hindrances that blocked her way. But only by the grace of God, at times, she could see them as stepping stones to get her across the river of life. Only God knew the outcome of each turning point. His touch in her life was so significant that these occurrences became ones that led her to victory when she depended, relied on, and remained close to her Lord. At times, getting across the waters was difficult at best. With disruptive waters everywhere, peace would only be found in prayer. God was there.

These pages are written so the reader can peek into one woman's life and go with her on her journey with the understanding that these events are true. Also, to know that a belief in Jesus Christ can change the direction of your life so radically, you won't recognize either yourself or the life you can have.

Each chapter is filled with details of this one woman's journey. Experience her pain as well as her joy as you turn each page. We all have a story to tell—some by the words of our mouth only, some by the written word. Each account is important, each story significant. This writer has chosen the latter, in addition to the former way, for no other reason than to obey her Lord. And the results are his.

First Turning Point

The Beginning

My life began on July 29, 1947. I was born to Lydia and George Brown. When I was born, my mother was extremely happy. It was not that I was so special but that her deepest desire was fulfilled—becoming a mother. She had been married for two years, and this longing to have a child led her to make a deal with the Creator of the universe. She promised that if he sent her a child, she would dedicate the child to him. On July 29, 1947, I came into the world, and she kept her promise.

After about five years, she had my sister Brenda. And five years after that, my brother George Jr. came along. My early memories as a child were ones of being so full of joy. Little things like swinging on swings and playing with my dolls plus teaching them lessons every day with my blackboard and chalk brought much satisfaction to my little life.

Playing jacks, pickup sticks, and cards were other things that I loved to do with my cousin Mary Jane. She was my best friend. We never had one fight, and when we were together, it was wonderful.

Then one day, she had to leave because her father was being stationed at another base in South Carolina. The pain was so brutal, I thought I would never get over it. I sensed my heart breaking in pieces. It kept me from forming close relationships for many years.

These things can be hard to overcome. It can set some of us back (as it did me), and it caused havoc in stopping growth in my social life.

Mainly, I stayed out of trouble and always did what I was supposed to do every day to keep the peace. I kept to myself in school and did not long for friends. I lost my best friend. Who could replace her?

I was also a small child, so I was compelled to sit in the front row in school—mainly so I could see the board. I was a quiet child and did not like to have eruptions in my life. My father was an alcoholic, so there were a lot of outbursts in my house.

I longed for peace and quiet, and I found that at the Catholic church. The church was only a few blocks away. I tried to go to early Mass often before I went to high school each day.

I loved learning, but school wasn't easy for me. I worked hard to get even Bs. I would be studying late at night (or should I say early morning) when my mother would see my light on in my room at 2:00 a.m. She would remind me to shut it off and go to sleep.

I missed the honor society by two points. I mention this to share with you some disappointments I experienced growing up.

In the fifth grade, I won a pair of tickets for Ice Capades from a coloring contest. (I still color to relax as a hobby.)

I attended a Catholic grammar school where teachers were kind to me. My high school education was also Catholic-influenced and consisted of all girls and nuns for teachers. Most girls complained, but I found it quite nice. I could fix my slip and not have to worry if a boy was looking at me.

Considering boys, at fifteen, I longed for a boyfriend. Other friends had boyfriends, but now I found myself looking for romantic movies to see on TV and hungering for a boyfriend that could become my close friend and one I could depend on for some hugs and kisses.

My father was very hard to talk to. I believe it was the drink that led him to become harsh at times. My mother, on the other hand, was easy to communicate with. She was really my best friend for many years before she passed away. She had a special love that, if she could have had more children, she would have had six at least.

I chose to go to a Catholic high school. This school was small compared to others in my area. We had a total student body count of around four hundred students. I started there in the ninth grade and graduated in 1965. What made this special for me was that it was an all-girls school, which went very easily with my unassuming nature. I could concentrate on my studies and not have to bother with such distractions as boys in my classroom.

It was when I was a sophomore that I began to notice myself longing to have a boyfriend. I would fantasize about such things. But then, one day, I was at a carnival with my friends and noticed that a boy kept staring at me. He was dressed in black and seemed to be a leader among his friends. Others were with him, but all of them seemed to be following him wherever he went. I saw him staring at me.

At first, I was embarrassed. Then that seemed to change throughout the evening. The other thing I noticed, as I did a good deal of observing, was that he was handing popcorn out to other girls that night. Why wasn't he offering me any popcorn? That was strange, and so was his constant staring in my direction. I did like his smile, so I continued to smile back. This was very unusual for me, but I was fifteen and would be sixteen in nine days. Everything seemed to be changing in my life, emotionally and in other ways, so I went with the flow.

Then, for some reason, I forgot about him and continued enjoying the presence of my friends. We laughed and were having a good time when a boy I had known only as part of a group came up to me. His smile was one of interest, but his words spoke of one on a mission. Do you know that boy dressed in black over there? He wants to talk to you, he said rather cautiously. Would you be interested?

I was taken off guard. This had never happened to me before. What should I say? Well, I guess so. I stood there. What do I do now?

Then, before I knew it, he was right in front of me. Would you like some popcorn? the boy in black asked.

Sure, I said rather hesitantly.

We walked together for a little while, and then he began to ask me questions.

So what school do you go to? he asked.

St. Mary's, I said rather quickly. I was nervous, and it was beginning to show. Then I decided it was time for me to ask, Where do you go to school?

North Providence High, he said without hesitation. Would you like to go on the Ferris wheel?

Sure. I couldn't think of anything else to say.

The next thing I knew, we were high above the carnival grounds, sitting together. This sure was different.

This was my first real boyfriend, or was he? I knew something was happening, but I was not sure what it was.

It seemed, within minutes of meeting each other, that it was time to go. Lights from all around were going off, and people were leaving. All around, in the different booths, people in charge were scurrying to close. The parking lot was emptying, and soon the carnival area would be just a lot again, empty and quiet.

It was the last night. I really hated to see everything being dismantled, for this was a fun few days. But here I was with this boy, and I wondered what was going to happen next. This question in my mind was interrupted as this boy stared directly into my eyes and spoke these words: Would you like a ride home?

Okay was my response. I couldn't believe my own answer. What is your name? I asked.

Teddy, he answered as he opened the car door.

I didn't know why I was so trusting. I had only met this boy less than half an hour ago, but there I was in the back seat of his friend's car, and we were headed to my house that was only about ten minutes away.

He came over to me and started to kiss me. I thought this was fast, but I didn't stop him. I always liked kissing. The first time I kissed a boy was at my thirteenth birthday party. We played spin-the-bottle. I don't know who suggested this game, but there we were, spinning the bottle and kissing. My thoughts at the time were Hey, I like this. Now my thoughts were This is nice too. Did this mean I have a boyfriend? Wait till my friends hear about this!

We decided to meet