Patty Russo: New Year, New Leaf

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I was in my residency in Orange County California for podiatry. On March 3, 1995, my boyfriend and I boarded a plane for San Blas Mexico to do medical work. Two other doctors boarded the neighboring plane both at John Wayne airport. Both planes took off but only one plane made it.

For several days, no one knew the whereabouts of the other plane. Then the day after our return from Mexico, the Orange County Register had a picture on the front page (March 7, 1995) showing pieces of metal strewn on a hillside in the restricted area of Camp Pendleton. The other plane crashed shortly after takeoff and the pilots and doctors were dead.

The story in the newspaper also included photos and information on the doctors’ families who were left behind. When I saw the face of one of the little boys who would live without his dad and the story of one of the doctors’ wives who was expecting a child, I broke and fell to my knees in prayer (for the first time in my life a prayed with my whole heart, broken like that).

I asked GOD why HE let me live, why did I get on the plane that didn’t crash. Afterall, I was living with my boyfriend, fighting every week, while those men were with families and noted to be philanthropic. I asked GOD to make my life count from now on and if HE had a purpose for my life, I wanted to live it out from now on. I felt that my life had to have significance from this point on.

Well, time went on and the shock of the story and the families subsided and “life” went on as before. But, GOD says in HIS Word in 2 Timothy 2:13, “If we are faithless, HE remains faithful; HE cannot deny HIMSELF.” So GOD was still working on my behalf to answer that prayer I prayed 3-7-95 with my whole heart.

In 1996, my boyfriend and I (still the same one) moved to Elkhart, Indiana to start practicing medicine. While in practice, GOD started sending to me particular patients who knew HIM. These people had one common denominator: they were all in relationship with JESUS CHRIST. They were of all different denominations; it is not about where we go, it’s about WHO we know!!

Then, on 7-21-99, my last patient of the day led me to the LORD. I had already let the staff go for the day and he and I were talking. He asked me if I knew if when I died if I would go to Heaven. I didn’t. He said I could by asking JESUS into my heart and making HIM my LORD and SAVIOR and by repenting of my sins against HIM. It was that easy because JESUS did all the hard work by taking my sins upon HIMSELF and dying on the cross for me. I accepted HIS gift of mercy and grace that night and my relationship with HIM has been growing ever since and will continue to grow until HE brings me home.

Now, I no longer practice medicine, as of 5-25-2006. GOD called me out of medicine to do music. This is my purpose. So you see, GOD is still answering my prayer from 3-7-95. But, GOD is doing it, not me. HE gave me seven songs and a cd and even allowed one of the songs to be in the top ten of the semi-finals in the Gospel Music Association song competition of 2008, last August (“Out in the Wilderness”). GOD did it and all I do is stay in relationship with HIM by talking to HIM (prayer) and reading HIS HOLY BIBLE to hear from HIM. HE will speak to us through these ways, among other ways. Walking with HIM is an adventure! Please consider asking HIM into your heart. You will not regret knowing HIM and besides, HE says in Matthew 7:21-23 and Luke 13:24-27 that you must know HIM to be always where HE is, even after our death.

Always remember, GOD loves you. JESUS loves you!!

pattyrussomusic@gmail.com

What if instead of taking this new year and making a resolution for better eating habits or weight loss, etc, every Christian decided to turn over a new leaf?

I read the Bible through every year and will do so every year for the rest of my life, if I am wise. I am currently in Jeremiah. Every time GOD leads me into this book of the Bible, I get so inspired to live in total surrender.

In Chapter 1, the LORD comes to Jeremiah and gives him his mantle of being a prophet. Jeremiah proceeds to find reason why he is a poor candidate for the job. But GOD speaks something to him that penetrates me profoundly and gives me a bold confidence to live desiring the full purpose JESUS intends me to be walking. The LORD says, "...you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I AM with you to deliver you, says the LORD." Jeremiah 1:7-8.

Penetrating, isn't it? In reality, what part do we really play in all of this? GOD puts us in the path of the people. GOD gives us the words to speak. GOD is with us and GOD delivers us. It seems to me, all I need is a pulse!

I love how HE says, "don't be afraid of their faces." GOD knows what holds us back. It is our concern for how we look or maybe how what comes out of our mouths might sound to others. But the book of Jeremiah helps me to realize who these words that supernaturally come out of the obedient mouths are really directed too. They may not make sense to me, but they were not for me.

As I go through Jeremiah further, I see in Jeremiah 4:19, Jeremiah has really come to the place of acceptance and ownership of who he is in GOD. Jeremiah says, "O my soul, my soul! I am pained in my very heart! My heart makes a noise in me;I cannot hold my peace, because you have heard, O my soul..."

In a nutshell, this life we live consists of two rules of thumb: 1. Don't be afraid of their faces and 2. Don't hold your peace.

Please live 2010 turning over a new leaf. After all, don't you praise GOD for those who weren't afraid to sow into your lives. I don't believe it was any easier for them, but thank GOD they took words like Jeremiah's seriously and lived fully committed to GOD'S plan daily. Let's honor GOD and do the same and make 2010 a year of total surrender!

Patty Russo

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New Year, New Leaf

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