A Ladder with Missing Steps: From Struggle to Blessing: Gerard’s Journey

From Struggle to Blessing: Gerard’s Journey
By Calvin, 1997

When I first met Gerard, life had not been kind to him. A failed business had left him struggling to make ends meet, and providing for his children often meant skipping meals or going without new clothes or shoes. The old Ford Cortina he drove seemed to have a personality of its own, constantly needing repairs. Sometimes he would attend prayer meetings on an empty stomach, partly fasting, partly saving what little money he had.

Gerard once shared with me something deeply humbling: when he prayed in church, he avoided kneeling because he was ashamed for anyone to see the worn soles of his shoes. He had only one pair—the shoes he wore on his wedding day, now five years old. His prayer was simple and heartfelt: God, please bless me with a new pair of shoes.

As he grew closer to our congregation, Gerard confided in our pastor about his struggles. One day, during a prayer session, the pastor shared a vision: he saw Gerard climbing a ladder, but some steps were missing. The pastor interpreted it as a message—Gerard had to discover what those missing steps were.

A few weeks later, the Sacred Heart Cathedral hosted a charismatic revival gathering, attracting delegates from around the world. It was here that Gerard was to meet a man who would reveal the missing steps.

Gerard recounted the encounter:

"One of my best friends, John Pelly, drove me to the convention. After the meeting, John arranged supper with some delegates. We split into two groups, and in our car rode a Pakistani man named Anwar, a youth leader from a charismatic group in Pakistan. I had never met him and had no expectations.

At the coffee shop, Anwar repeatedly told me, 'God has a message for you. I ignored him at first, thinking it impossible, but later, at Simon Ray’s house, he sat beside me and shared the word from God. He revealed the missing steps of the ladder: 'You have to die to your own desires—to self—and walk behind Jesus. 'I finally understood."

That moment marked a turning point in Gerard’s life. Over the next five years, I watched a remarkable transformation unfold. The man who once struggled for basic necessities could now provide abundantly for his family. They went on vacations, traveled to other cities, and bought toys, a new car, and even a truck for his business. Gerard engaged in sports, recreation, social clubs, and learning new skills like computer and internet use. He organized bicycle races and flourished personally, professionally, and spiritually.

Gerard himself testifies: God blessed my life. Through faith, perseverance, and guidance, he discovered the missing steps that led him from struggle to abundance, and he continues to give all glory to Jesus Christ for the remarkable transformation.