Participants: Yvonne Lewis (Host), SaMonna Watts
Series Code: UBR
Program Code: UBR000132A
|
00:01 Stay tuned to meet a woman
00:02 who over came adversity 00:04 and discovered her divine purpose. 00:06 My name is Jason Bradley 00:07 and you're watching Urban Report. 00:32 Hello, and welcome to Urban Report. 00:34 My guest today is SaMonna Watts. 00:36 And she is the founder of Extraordinary Living. 00:39 Welcome to Urban Report, SaMonna. 00:41 Thank you. I'm glad to be here, Jason. 00:43 It's pleasure to have to you. 00:45 It's always a wonderful thing 00:47 when you can walk in our divine purpose. 00:50 Yes, it is. 00:51 God has a divine-- 00:52 and I'm a firm believer of this. 00:54 God has a divine purpose for each one of us. 00:57 How did you discover yours? 00:59 Well, I can say I discovered mine through pain. 01:03 I was staying home with my children 01:06 and I came to a point in my life 01:08 where I was just really seeking God, 01:09 figure out what it was that He created me to do. 01:13 I had a career, you know, I went to school. 01:15 I was attorney and I started my own business. 01:19 But that's not what I was looking for, you know. 01:22 I was asking God, "What did You create me to do?" 01:25 Not a career per se. 01:27 And through my wrestling with God 01:28 and praying and really, really seeking Him. 01:31 About it, He showed me that He wanted me to speak. 01:34 And so I was excited about that 01:36 'cause I like speaking and running my mouth. 01:39 Right, you know, so I was like, 01:40 "Okay, Lord, what will I speak about?" 01:42 And I had ideas in my mind, 01:44 I said, "Oh, once my business really gets off the ground 01:47 then I'll go out and I'll speak and I'll be the success 01:49 and," But as I continued to pray and seek God about it, 01:53 He showed me that He wanted me to speak on faith. 01:57 And then basically encouraging people 01:59 because, I discovered that my spiritual gifts 02:02 were faith, exhortation and leadership. 02:05 So based upon that it kind of gave me some guidance 02:07 as to where I believe God wanted me to go. 02:11 So I was excited about that. 02:12 I didn't know how that was gonna unfold 02:14 or when this divine purpose was gonna be manifest for me 02:19 but a few short months later my 5-year-old son 02:23 began to complain of headaches. 02:26 And then that's when the purpose 02:28 became very, very clear. 02:30 Now I want to interject. 02:33 Before we expound on that purpose, 02:36 before we visit that purpose, 02:38 I want to let our viewers see the family pictures. 02:42 I want them to see, Brayden and who we are talking about. 02:45 Yeah. 02:47 So introduce your family to our viewers. 02:50 Oh, yes. 02:52 This is little Savanna is who I'm holding that's my daughter 02:55 and that's my husband Van and that's our son Brayden, 02:58 who was five at the time. 03:01 Lots of personality, lot's of personality. 03:04 He's a joy. He looks like an amazing kid. 03:06 Great energy and very handsome I might say. 03:13 Now-- and that's him and his sister. 03:15 Yes, sister Savannah. They are 13 months apart. 03:18 Okay. So that was his little sister. 03:20 Oh. Best buddies. 03:22 Precious. 03:24 So he was telling you he was starting 03:27 to have headaches and what happened. 03:31 What transpired after that? 03:32 Well, he told me he had headaches 03:34 and so you know, as a parent we're concerned. 03:36 And I took him to the doctor. 03:38 I took him to the doctor on Monday. 03:39 He complained on Sunday. 03:41 The doctor couldn't find anything. 03:42 So he sent me home. 03:44 I took him back to the doctor again on Tuesday 03:46 'cause the complains continued 03:48 and so he sent me for some further testing 03:50 and on Wednesday he told me that CAT scan was clear. 03:53 Nothing to worry about, mom, it's probably migraines. 03:55 But something wasn't right. 03:57 And Thursday evening we found ourselves in emergency room 04:00 and they did further testing and the doctor told us 04:04 that he found two masses on Brayden's brain. 04:07 Oh, no. 04:09 And so at this point, you know, that is devastating, 04:12 you know, I-- it was devastating news 04:15 and I remembered just kind of staring at him 04:18 with this blank stare 04:19 and my husband asked them 04:21 and he said, "Don't try to sugar coat anything. 04:23 Tells us what are we dealing with." 04:26 And he said it's probably very serious. 04:29 And when I was sitting there listening to the doctor, 04:31 he said something that will always remain in my heart. 04:35 He looked at us and he said, 04:37 "I see the Spirit of God all over you guys." 04:40 And for me it was as if God was giving us encouragement, 04:43 letting us know, "I am with you 04:46 even though you're receiving this devastating news." 04:48 Yes. 04:49 So from there I just-- I left the room. 04:51 I was in a daze and a nurse saw me walking down the hallway 04:56 and she immediately grabbed me and took me to her office 04:58 and said, "Hey, you can stay in here 05:00 and get yourself together." 05:01 And when I was in this office, I literally fell to the ground 05:04 and I just cried out to God. 05:06 I literally just cried out to God 05:08 and I said, "God, I can't handle this." 05:12 And it was like light bolts are going off my mind. 05:15 So I started thinking about how God works and I was like, 05:18 "Oh, no, He wants to speak," 05:20 and generally, people that God really uses 05:24 have gone through the ringer. 05:26 They've gone through some of the serious things. 05:28 Those trials and tribulations, 05:30 we don't understand their purpose 05:32 but we serve a God that knows the end from the beginning. 05:35 Yes, we do. We do. 05:36 So continue unpacking that for us. 05:38 Yeah, so in my mind I was lie whoa, you know, this is what, 05:42 it was like just flash in my head, 05:44 this is what God wants me to do. 05:45 He wants me to speak and I have to go through this trial 05:48 to be able to do His will. 05:51 And I said I didn't want it. 05:52 I told Him, I said, "No, God, I won't speak for you 05:54 if I have to go through this because I want my child." 05:57 This is the child we struggled to have, we prayed and prayed 05:59 and prayed and prayed and asked God to bless us with him 06:03 and then when he came, 06:04 he was like answer to every single prayer that we prayed. 06:07 "So, Lord, no, not this child." 06:11 But as I lay there on the floor, 06:12 something amazing happened 06:14 and I literally heard God speak to me and through my tears 06:18 and my crying out, He said, 06:20 "SaMonna, what makes you think 06:22 I won't bring you through this trial victorious?" 06:25 And I was done, I was like, "Whoa, Lord," you know. 06:28 I didn't know what victory was gonna look like 06:31 because He didn't say I'm gonna heal Brayden. 06:33 That was my prayer. 06:35 He didn't say He was gonna put Brayden to sleep. 06:37 But He guaranteed me victory. 06:39 And that's what gave me the strength 06:41 to move on in our journey. 06:44 Wow. Yeah. 06:45 So how do you feel that He prepared you this trial 06:48 or did He prepare you for this trial? 06:50 I mean, you can never, 06:52 you can never be fully prepared to lose the child. 06:55 Then looking at those pictures of Brayden, 06:57 I mean, he looks like he had an award-winning personality. 07:00 Yeah, he was great. 07:02 And I do think that God prepares us. 07:06 Now this particular trial, in mind, my God, 07:09 there is no preparation in the world 07:10 that could prepare a parent for this particular trial. 07:14 But in essence He had prepared me 07:17 because I had experienced other trials in my life, 07:19 you know, looking back there, not that big 07:21 but when I was going through them, 07:23 they were big and struggling financially 07:26 when I made the decision to stay home with my children 07:29 which I believe God told me to do. 07:31 So you know, I had that struggle 07:33 and when I left undergrad 07:36 I thought I was supposed to be a doctor. 07:38 So I went to medical school and God just shook all that up. 07:44 How far did you get in medical school? 07:45 I went through the first half. 07:48 Okay. All the book work. 07:50 So I didn't pass my boards, 07:52 the board that separates you from going on to clinicals. 07:55 Wow. 07:56 So that's where I was and for me, being a go-getter 08:00 and always doing well in school, 08:02 it was traumatizing at that point in my life. 08:04 It just was really, really traumatizing 08:06 and I had an experience with God 08:08 where He just kind of brought me through that 08:11 and led me down in different path 08:13 and I was okay with that. 08:14 Yes, I mean, after you putting in all that work and then... 08:17 And all that money. Yes, and all that money. 08:20 The school is not cheap. No it's not. 08:22 By any means. It's not. 08:24 So after you doing all that and then finding out 08:28 "This is not what I have for you, SaMonna," 08:31 what was going through your mind at the time? 08:33 Yeah, you know, and God is good because He sent the answers 08:38 and He sent the solutions to me quickly 08:40 because in a year I was in law school on a full scholarship 08:44 and school was sweet. 08:45 It was like everything just switched. 08:47 The struggle that I was having there, God was like, 08:49 "That's not where I want you to be, here." 08:52 And everything went smoothly. 08:53 So it was like, "well, God I can't believe you did that." 08:56 And so that part of my life, you know, it was fine. 09:00 And then we come to the next stage 09:04 of trials and difficulties. 09:07 But without a shadow of a doubt, the-- 09:12 having a child and becoming a parent 09:14 and the love that you have for a child, 09:16 seeing that child sick, there is no other pain or trial 09:20 that I have experienced in my life 09:22 that would compare to that. 09:23 Wow. That would compare to that. 09:25 And so we-- when we left the hospital 09:31 from that Thursday night, 09:33 actually we didn't leave, they told us you cannot leave. 09:35 We have to transport you. 09:37 It's so serious 09:38 and we have to transport you to Children's National. 09:41 And we went to Children's National 09:43 and it was like bad news after bad news after bad news. 09:46 Every time we talk to the doctors, 09:47 it seemed it got worst. 09:49 When we got there they told us, "Oh, yeah, this is serious. 09:52 He has to have a brain surgery." 09:54 So Thursday they tell us this, 09:56 Monday he scheduled to have brain surgery. 09:59 And this is a lot for a 5-year-old. 10:01 Somebody, you know, he didn't know what's gonna happen 10:03 but needles, being confined to a hospital bed, 10:05 you can't eat, it was trying for him. 10:08 Scary thing as kid, I mean, you're in pain, 10:11 you're confused, you see the worry, 10:13 I mean, I know, as parents you try and hide the stress 10:17 and the worry from the kids but I mean, you can't. 10:19 That's such a devastating news. You can't really discuss that. 10:23 So you sitting there confused and just terrified. 10:27 So and that's challenging to see him go through that. 10:30 Yes. Go through that. 10:31 But he had his brain surgery and the surgery went well 10:36 and I remember sitting there praying while we were waiting 10:38 because that was torturous to wait for five six hours for, 10:43 you know, "what's going on, did they make a mistake, 10:45 you know, did something go wrong, is he okay?" 10:48 But I was praying I was like, "God, can this be it. 10:50 Can it just be a cyst and they come out 10:52 and say we got it all, everything is fine." 10:55 But in my spirit, it's like the Lord said, 10:58 "SaMonna, testimony is not great enough." 11:00 And low and behold, when the doctor came out, 11:04 he said "Surgery went well. 11:05 We were able to resect the tumor. 11:08 But there's more concerning news. 11:09 This definitely is cancer. 11:11 Wow. So... 11:13 How did Brayden cope with this sickness? 11:16 Oh, he, poor thing. 11:19 He's very, very smart. 11:20 Very, very, very, very, very intelligent child. 11:23 So when doctors were coming 11:26 and the idea of even putting him to sleep so he could-- 11:29 he didn't like it. 11:30 So it was always a struggle. 11:32 When you see the nurses coming he's like, "No," 11:34 you know, he would just basically cry out 11:38 because mentally he knew 11:39 there was no tricks that were gonna work with him. 11:41 You know, they had Child life come in, 11:43 they would try to distract him but he was-- 11:45 he didn't care about teddy bears, 11:46 he cared about 11:48 what you are about to stick into his arms, you know. 11:49 Absolutely. So it was very hard. 11:52 And many times I had to literally hold him down 11:56 in like a bear hug for them to do stuff with him and that, 12:01 it just wears down on you as a parent to have to go 12:04 through that and to be the bad guy, 12:06 you know, so he can get his treatment. 12:08 And how long was he in the hospital for? 12:11 He was in the hospital for two weeks 12:15 and then we were transferred to Philadelphia 12:19 for radiation treatment. 12:22 And when we were there, it was a-- 12:24 we stayed in a Ronald McDonald house which was very nice. 12:29 But everyday we'd had to the hospital, 12:31 every single day. 12:33 And when we get up in the morning, 12:35 he would start crying. 12:36 He would just start crying. 12:38 I know I have to go to the hospital mommy 12:39 I don't want to go. 12:40 Just crying so every morning it's a struggle like, 12:43 Lord, please and it just wears you out. 12:47 Yes. 12:49 And they had to put him to sleep everyday, you know, 12:50 'cause they are kids so he wouldn't move or, 12:54 you know, mess up the treatment 12:55 and the idea of that they had to put in the mask on his face 12:57 so that he could go to sleep, 12:59 he was screaming, "I don't want to go to sleep, 13:00 I don't want them to put me sleep. 13:02 I know what they're doing, mommy." 13:04 It was torture. It was torture. Yes. 13:08 But the God, the God brought us through those tough times. 13:11 He really, really did. Wow. 13:13 And then I mean, he's got-- 13:15 anytime you are in the hospital 13:16 and you have to stay there for an extended period of time, 13:19 they are sticking you with needles, 13:21 you got people coming to wake you up, 13:22 take your blood, and man, it's, 13:25 you don't get rest in the hospital. 13:27 No. You don't. It's not a place to get rest. 13:28 It's not fun, especially, not for a kid. 13:30 Yes, absolutely and then seeing that mask 13:33 and knowing the result of what was about to happen. 13:37 But as the parent I can say that I was, 13:39 I was so impressed with him. 13:40 His bravery, you know, that he was actually trying to cope 13:43 'cause I don't like getting shots. 13:46 But you know, he had resolved in his mind that he was gonna 13:49 be a big boy and he was gonna do it and he did. 13:52 Absolutely. He did, he did. 13:53 That's amazing. 13:54 I mean, at 5-years-old, 13:56 it sounds like he was pretty tough. 13:57 Yeah. 13:59 Now at what point did you realize 14:00 that he might not make it? 14:02 Well, after we left, 14:04 we finished the radiation treatment in Philadelphia. 14:06 We traveled back to Maryland to start chemo. 14:10 And we met with the doctors. 14:12 They did their preliminary testing 14:14 and they were gonna start us the following Monday. 14:17 But they called us into the office and they said, 14:20 there is no need to do chemo. 14:21 Brian's not gonna make it. 14:24 And that was traumatizing. 14:27 You know, I was so worried about the chemo therapy, 14:30 it had never cross my mind that he might die. 14:33 Not at this stage of the game. And so I was heart broken. 14:38 But I resolved my mind that 14:41 this is what the doctors have said 14:44 God hasn't told me if Brayden is gonna live 14:45 or if he's gonna die so at that point 14:47 we were still gonna fight. 14:48 You know, they suggested that I go home and contact Hospice. 14:51 But I just couldn't do that. 14:53 So my husband and I, we prayed 14:56 and my in-laws had found a doctor in Mexico, 15:02 who said he would do his best. 15:05 He practiced alternative medicine. 15:06 So we flew out to Mexico to give it one last shot 15:11 to see if Brayden, you know, would make it through. 15:13 And I honestly did not think that he would die. 15:16 I believed whole heartedly 15:17 that God was going to heal my son. 15:19 He had opened the doors. 15:21 The treatment in Mexico was $50,000. 15:23 Friday they told us he was gonna die. 15:26 I put a post on Facebook. 15:28 On Monday, we had $50,000 dollars. 15:30 Wow. 15:31 With people donating from social media 15:34 to get us to Mexico and it was just such a blessing, 15:37 I said, "God," you know, "Thank You, thank You." 15:40 God knows that we need. 15:41 You know, when we need it, for whatever reason. 15:44 So I literally did not think my son was gonna die. 15:49 After we finished the treatment at Mexico, 15:51 things happened there that are really they are too terrible 15:55 to even kind of repeat in my head 15:57 but he wasn't doing well. 16:00 So we traveled to California 16:01 and we stayed with my husband's parents 16:05 and he just wasn't doing well. 16:07 But it never, I-- No, he's gonna be healed. 16:10 I just figured it was slow burn. 16:12 God was just taking this thing, 16:13 you know, it was slow process, 16:15 natural healing takes a while. 16:17 But one day and actually I want to say this first, 16:20 when Hospice doctors would come, 16:22 he was like, "Whoa," 16:24 I wasn't expecting him to look like this. 16:26 He says, 'cause based upon the reports, 16:28 I thought he would look way worse than how he looks. 16:31 So that was giving me some hope, 16:33 okay, yeah, God is gonna heal him. 16:35 But one day, my husband and I just started talking 16:39 and it was just like it dawned on me, 16:41 you know, this whole time, this five months, 16:43 I've been praying, "God, heal, Brayden. 16:45 Thank You, for healing." 16:47 But I said, what if it's not God's will to heal him. 16:50 You know, I really had not 16:51 processed that through my brain. 16:52 Yes. 16:54 And when I had that thought I was like, 16:58 "Oh, my goodness. 17:00 We need to pray a different prayer." 17:02 So my husband and I got on our knees 17:04 right next to Brayden's side 17:05 and I prayed that what I called the most crucial prayer 17:07 I have ever prayed in my life. 17:09 And the prayer was, 17:10 "Lord, if it's Your will to heal Brayden, 17:13 please do it, if it's Your will for Brayden to die, 17:17 we accept it. 17:19 But whatever Your will is, Lord, please do it today 17:22 because I can't take another minute of this." 17:25 And 15 minutes, 17:26 Brayden close his eyes and went to sleep. 17:28 Wow. 17:29 I can only imagine how tough it is to even pray that prayer 17:33 because as humans, I mean, 17:36 you want God's will but when God's will is-- 17:40 when you don't understand God's will 17:42 and you want-- you want your child to be saved 17:46 but if that's not God's will, 17:48 you prayed that His will be done either way. 17:51 You just wanted His will to be done 17:52 and for Brayden not to suffer anymore. 17:54 Yes. 17:55 And that is, you are a tremendous woman of faith. 17:59 I'm telling you, God did some amazing things 18:01 because literally, when I prayed that prayer, 18:04 I was in the right place. 18:07 I think in my four or five weeks had passed 18:09 from then when the doctors initially told us 18:11 he was gonna die. 18:12 And I honestly believe that God held it out that long. 18:15 Because each doctor that saw the reports, 18:17 they were like, oh, my good-- 18:19 their response was just shocking like... 18:22 One doctor looked at the reports 18:24 and he said, "It's horrific." 18:26 And I was just thinking in my mind like, 18:28 wow, I mean, I don't know what these reports say, 18:30 but they are saying something terrible. 18:33 But it didn't sway me. 18:35 So five weeks God let this thing go 18:37 and tell He knew my heart was in right place 18:41 to truly accept His will. 18:42 Yes. 18:43 And I did. I did. We did. 18:45 Were you ever angry? 18:47 Were you or your husband ever angry at God? 18:49 Yeah. What happened? 18:52 I can honestly say and I'm telling you 18:55 from the deepest truth 18:56 that I can tell you from my heart. 18:58 No. 18:59 People have asked me that and I was like, "No." 19:01 Literally, no. 19:03 The thought of anger never crossed my mind. 19:06 And I thought to myself how could I be angry 19:08 with the God that loves me so much 19:09 and knows what's best for me, 19:11 even if it means putting my child to sleep. 19:14 I never, never had anger. 19:18 I never questioned God. I honestly didn't. 19:21 He had gotten me to a place where he let me know, 19:24 I mean, we prayed that prayer, he went to sleep. 19:26 It might've been less than 15 minutes, 19:28 you know, when you sitting there 19:29 it seems like an eternity. 19:30 Yes. 19:32 But I prayed that prayer and God answered it. 19:33 And He put a peace on us that we still can't describe. 19:37 I mean, "Peace that passes all understanding." 19:39 God did it. 19:41 And so I trust Him, 19:42 I trust His decision making 19:44 and I just know that for what ever reason, 19:46 when I get to heaven, I'm gonna look and see him, 19:48 like "God, You were right." 19:49 What a wonderful day. Yeah. 19:51 That's gonna be a wonderful day. 19:53 So how did you and your family cope after losing Brayden? 19:58 I mean, how do you move forward from that? 20:01 My biggest concern was Savannah. 20:03 It was Savannah and my husband 20:04 because when the whole thing started, 20:07 Van had said, "If something happens to Brayden, I'm done." 20:10 You know, just, "I'm not gonna be able to deal, God, 20:12 if something happens to him." 20:14 And something did happen. 20:16 And then beautiful thing is that Van is strong in his faith 20:20 and he, well, the change that 20:24 I've seen in him is amazing to me. 20:26 'Cause I knew that he was gonna be done 20:28 but, no, he's trusting, he's an encouragement to me 20:31 and he's fine. 20:33 I mean, you don't understand. 20:34 He's hurt, you know, he cries as we all do 20:36 but he does not have an issue with God per se. 20:40 He's at peace with the situation. 20:41 Yes. And trusting. 20:43 And Savannah, she's fine. I was so worried. 20:46 I was like, "Lord, it's one thing for us 20:48 as adults to have to deal with this 20:49 but how do you handle a 4-year-old 20:52 who's lost her best friend." 20:54 Her whole that's all she's seen. 20:55 She followed him around. That's her best buddy. 20:58 And she talks about him all the time. 21:01 You know, the concept of death, 21:03 you know, I don't think she really gets it. 21:04 She thinks we left Brayden in California, you know. 21:07 Even though she knows, yeah, he died. 21:09 He's still in California, you know. 21:10 Yes. 21:11 We'll see him when we get to heaven, you know. 21:13 Yes. But she's been okay. 21:15 She's been happy, you know, 21:17 these adjustments in the home 21:18 because now, you know, we are family of three. 21:20 We were a family of four with built in playmates, 21:25 you know, so now, you know, 21:26 as parents we have to really play with Savannah little more 21:29 and kind of fill in the gap 21:32 or the void that's now occurred because Brayden is not here. 21:36 And then it's tough. I mean, because she is four?' 21:41 She's five now. She was four when he passed. 21:44 She was four years old 21:45 and then trying to explain to child 21:48 about sometimes God's will isn't our will necessarily, 21:53 what we had envisioned. 21:55 And trying to get her to grasp that concept... 21:58 It is tough. Yes. 22:00 Sometimes she'll say, you know, 22:03 "it's because Brayden was so good that he died." 22:05 And I was like, "No, you know, no." 22:09 So it's kind of hard to explain those concepts. 22:11 But she would say that a lot. 22:13 "Brayden was good. That's why he died." 22:15 It's like, "Oh, no, baby, that..." 22:17 You know, we can't-- it's hard to explain. 22:19 I can't explain it. 22:21 I just tell, you know, we just wait, 22:22 we're gonna see Brayden again. 22:23 Yes, and then once she gets older, 22:25 as she gets older and is able to grasp that concept. 22:27 It is easier for her. Absolutely. 22:30 Now you are a founder of a ministry. 22:34 Yes. Let's talk about that. 22:35 What's the mission of your ministry? 22:38 What's the goal of your ministry? 22:40 The goal of my ministry is to encourage people. 22:43 As I've gone through this process, 22:45 I realize how many people out there, 22:48 there are so many people out there 22:49 who are experiencing difficult times, 22:51 who are wrestling with trusting God, 22:53 especially after experiencing death 22:56 or loss or divorce or any other tragedy 22:58 that we experience here on earth 23:00 and so through my testimony 23:02 and through the things that God has taught me, 23:05 I go out and I speak 23:06 and I try to encourage people to know that, 23:09 you know, God is still good, 23:11 you know, don't let the devil dupe you into thinking that 23:13 God is not good. 23:15 God is good. 23:16 The enemy is the reason we have to suffer 23:18 and go through all these things. 23:19 But the beautiful thing about it is God can use our pain, 23:23 our struggles, our trials 23:24 and turn into something beautiful. 23:25 Absolutely. 23:27 And that's what He's done in our situation. 23:28 And I'm determined in my heart, 23:30 you know, the devil, because of him, 23:32 and his foolishness my son is not here. 23:35 I'm not giving him the rest of my life. 23:37 My son's not here 23:38 but I'm going to do my best to tear down his kingdom 23:41 by encouraging others who have gone through devastating loss. 23:45 So we all can rejoice on the other side 23:47 when we get to heaven. 23:48 Wow. And not forfeit that. 23:50 That's amazing. 23:52 And I can tell, I feel your passion. 23:53 I feel because it comes from a place that really, 23:56 you hold near and dear to your heart. 23:58 Yeah. 23:59 What kind of miracles have you witnessed in this ministry? 24:02 When you go and speak to these broken people 24:05 who've been through tragedies, 24:06 who, some of them might be blaming God, 24:08 you know, some of them just don't understand, 24:11 how can God let this happen. 24:13 Yeah. 24:15 When I say I go to speak in a lot of churches. 24:18 Okay. 24:19 Okay, so when you look at church, 24:21 you know, a lot of times you don't see, 24:22 it's not like you're going to a shelter 24:23 where you know everybody is broken. 24:25 You know, people who look very nice, 24:27 you know, who have a smiles on their faces 24:29 but afterwards they come to me crying, you know. 24:33 "Thank you so much. I needed to hear that. 24:35 I've been having these issues with God 24:38 ever since my loved one passed 24:40 or I suffered a divorce and I couldn't understand 24:43 why God allowed this to happen to me. 24:44 But through your testimony 24:46 and through your sharing I've been encouraged, 24:48 you know, to trust God and get past this pain 24:51 and to still love Him." 24:53 Mothers, whose children are-- 24:56 sons have been imprisoned for years, 24:57 you know, brokenness. 24:59 Yes. 25:00 And finding hope, you know, that God is still good 25:02 no matter what your circumstance is 25:04 and it's amazing because every single time without fail 25:09 and especially the times when I don't feel like speaking. 25:12 That's when God shows up the most. 25:13 And it's like, "Wow, God," you know. 25:16 It's not that easiest, you know, it's not like, 25:19 "Oh, yes, you know, I'm glad that's happened to me." 25:21 No, not at all. 25:22 But there is so much joy when you actually can go out 25:26 and you see how lives are being touched. 25:29 How chains are being broken 25:30 and people are reconnecting with God 25:33 and learning as I call it, "to adjust their lenses," 25:36 to see life through the eyes of faith 25:38 and not to focus on all the negative 25:40 that the devil tries to put in your face. 25:42 But focus on what God is doing, 25:43 how He's working things out and focus on heaven. 25:47 Yes. So it's been amazing. 25:48 I mean, it's been amazing. 25:50 And I can only imagine how good you feel after you speak, 25:53 after you share your testimony 25:56 and how God has lead you through those tough times. 26:00 And you touch those people's heart. 26:02 Yeah, yeah. 26:03 And you see the transformation, 26:05 you see the Holy Spirit working on in their lives. 26:08 I can only imagine the feeling. 26:11 So how do people get in touch with you? 26:13 Oh, okay. I am... 26:15 You have a website, correct? Yeah, I do have a website. 26:17 It's samonnawatts.com. Okay. 26:20 SaMonna is not the easiest name to spell, 26:23 so hopefully you guys will post it. 26:24 Spell it out for us. SaMonna is samonna. 26:30 And it's sammonawatts. So watts.com. 26:33 Okay, wonderful. 26:36 Well, I can tell that you are a tremendous woman of faith 26:39 and I appreciate you being so transparent with us today 26:42 and sharing your testimony. 26:45 I know that people have to be touched by this 26:49 and no matter what they are going through, 26:52 that God is still with the victorious one. 26:55 That's right, that's right. 26:57 And you can have victory through Him. 26:58 That's right. 26:59 And I'm just, I mean, I'm-- I feel it in my heart, 27:04 you know, with Brayden, from looking at the pictures, 27:07 I feel like I knew him. 27:09 Yeah, he's a little buddy. 27:10 Yeah, it's just so much personality. 27:13 Yeah, definitely. So much personality. 27:15 Revelation 21: 4 says, 27:18 "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes 27:22 and there shall be no more death, 27:24 neither sorrow, nor crying, 27:26 neither shall there be any more pain. 27:29 For the former things are passed away." 27:31 And what a great day that would be 27:34 when we can be reunited with our loved ones 27:37 that are sleeping in Jesus. 27:39 I want to thank you so much for being with us today. 27:42 Thank you, Jason. And it's such a pleasure. 27:45 It is the ability to tolerate uncertainty 27:48 and put your trust in God through any situation, 27:51 whether it be a blessing or whether it be a tragedy. 27:54 So I encourage each and everyone of you 27:56 to exercise that. 27:57 Well, that's the end of our program 27:59 and remember, it just wouldn't be the same without you. |
Revised 2015-10-22