THE VIVIAN HELMS STORY
BY VIVIAN HELMS & KAY DILLS
A miracle is an event that cannot be explained by natural or scientific laws. Therefore a miracle is considered to be the work of a divine power. That divine power is God. Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
This was the beginning of all the miracles to come. There were many miracles performed through Moses, Elijah and other prophets; however, the miracles of Jesus Christ show us that God has and will continue to perform miracles through others. Not only did Jesus perform miracles, he commissions his disciples to perform miracles. Matthew 10:8 states:
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils:
Freely you have received, freely give.
Luke, author of The Acts of The Apostles, tells us of one such miracle. In Acts 3:6 Peter and John met a lame man at the gates of the temple who asked for money.
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Miracles happen everyday. The miracle I want to tell you about involves one of our own members: Vivian Helms. In 1996, Vivian was not feeling well. She was being treated for acid reflux when one day she could not breathe. She went to the emergency room where they removed fluid from around her heart. Afterwards a heart catheterization was scheduled. The doctor found that a viral infection had attacked her heart. Although she had not had a heart attack, she was informed that her heart was not beating properly and her only option was a heart transplant. Her response was: “I am doing nothing until I talk to the Lord”. Vivian’s faith is very strong and she knew exactly what she had to do. After more testing, Vivian was put on the heart transplant list.
Vivian’s family and friends came together and a prayer vigil was held. There was an article published in the paper and many came to pray with and for her. Some she knew and some she did not know. Most people in her condition would have deteriorated but after the prayer vigil her prayers were answered and her condition stabilized. God tells us in James 5:16
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
In a tribute to her Mother, Vivian’s daughter Leslie writes: “Her life was a model of true faith and trust in God. She lived every moment to the fullest, thanking Him for every day. Many were inspired by such great faith. As a result, friends and family renewed their spiritual lives. Many miracles of faith happened around her. She knew that her suffering was not in vain, but the purpose was to bring glory to God.”
After failing a test in which she had to ride a bicycle, Vivian was moved to number one on the transplant list. On January 22, 1997, a heart became available and she had her heart transplant at Carolina Medical Center. Vivian knew her new heart was from a local donor. When ask how she felt, she replied: “It was bittersweet. I was happy for myself but very sad for the family who lost a loved one. I feel so blessed.” Even in her darkest moments, Vivian’s thoughts were for others. Vivian’s miracle was God’s plan. It was the perfect thing, for the perfect reason at the perfect time.
It has been 23 years since Vivian received her new heart and with anti-rejection medication she has never once had any rejection. She says: “It is in God’s hands. The surgeon transplanted the heart but only God could make it start beating.” God holds the hands of our doctors, our policeman and our fireman. Yes miracles do occur. As for Vivian: “The Beat Goes On”.
The miracles of yesterday and today will continue tomorrow. God will keep his promise for those who believe. The best is yet to come! Matthew 16:27:
For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.