Do you know people who seem to always been searching for love? I’ve known many. But if I’m being honest, I think for many years I was searching to be filled with His love, but not in the right places. I recently interviewed Maureen Hager on an episode of Your Hope Filled Perspective podcast. She shared about how she searched for love in all the wrong places, and ended up in a gang, before two bullets almost took her life. If you missed that episode, you’ll want to go back and listen here (Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places: Hope for the One True Love – Episode 87). I asked Maureen to share here how it came to be that a former biker chick met the God of hope.

Former Biker Chick Meets the God of Hope
By Maureen Hager

A misguided search for love and acceptance lured me into the life of an outlaw biker gang. Caught up in a violent war, I became a victim of two gunshot wounds when a rival gang opened fire on our clubhouse with M16 rifles. My left arm was blown apart, and the bone in my right leg was shattered.

Wounded and abandoned

The pain and suffering from my wounds were the beginning of a long journey of physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery. For the next six months, I was bedridden, and multiple surgeries followed. I just knew God was punishing me. There was no escape from the pain and suffering or the uncertainty of my future. My family abandoned me. I felt alone and isolated in that hospital, away from everyone and everything familiar.

I needed every ounce of strength within me to get through the next six months. For two months, my leg was painfully in traction, and my arm was in a cast. The following two months, my body was in a cocoon of plaster, hoping the outcome would be the healing of my broken bones.

After scans and x-rays, my doctor devastated me with the news, “Shattered beyond repair.” Another surgery was required to fuse my bones together. Another two months passed by until I was strong enough to travel to a hospital in another state.

My spirit was crushed. Shame, fear, and anger consumed me. While severely physically wounded, this act of violence was a catalyst for God to work in my life and gave me a way to escape from the control the gang imposed on my life. I wanted to be free from the violence and injustices I witnessed. I just did not know how to escape. But God did.

Meeting the God of hope

I spent the following year in intense rehabilitative therapy. After suffering physical, emotional, and spiritual trauma, friends were kind and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with me so I could accept Him as my Savior. My hope for a better life began with trusting God.

Often the most devastating circumstances create an opportunity for God to reach those in the pit of despair and pull them up to higher ground. That is what He did for me.

“He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.” (Psalm 40:2 NKJV)

I learned deliverance and restoration come to those who open their heart to the Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ. My road to a restored life had begun. I am grateful for the Lord’s better purpose and plan for my life.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)

He put a new desire in my heart to follow Him. I chose not to remain a victim, but to be a survivor and an overcomer in Christ’s steadfast love.

Today I live a life restored from my brokenness by God’s transforming love and grace. The Lord blessed me with a godly husband and two precious daughters. Now I have the family I always longed for. Orthopedic issues and challenges will most likely follow me the rest of my days on earth, but not for eternity. Heaven is my real home, my forever home. Jesus waits there for me. No walkers or canes, and I will be able to walk, run, and dance in His presence. What a glorious existence it will be!

“Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice” (Psalm 51:8 NKJV).

Jesus, you are the source of love. You are reaching out your hand to the brokenhearted, urging us to grasp a hold of the hope and healing of God’s transforming love. Thank you! We pray in Jesus’s name, Amen.

How has your life been transformed by the God of hope and His great love? We’d love to hear in the comments below.

About Maureen Hager

Maureen Hager is an author, inspirational speaker, and blogger. Her book, Love’s Bullet, chronicles her journey from a wounded victim in a biker gang war to a transformed life by God’s love.

Connect with Maureen here: Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / LinkedIn

Book Giveaway!

In conjunction with this post and the podcast interview, Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places: Hope for the One True Love – Episode 87, Maureen Hager is giving away a free copy of her book, Love’s Bullet: A Wounded Victim in a Biker Gang War Transformed by God’s Love .

Leave a comment below sharing with us one thing you learned about how God can use even the most devastating circumstances to intervene in your life and you will be entered into the contest.

You could also share this blog post on Facebook or Twitter then comment here to tell us where you shared it and you’ll also be entered into the drawing.

The winner will be selected at random and announced next Monday, December 21, 2020, here on this post. Continental United States only.

 

(If there are affiliate links in this post, meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you)).