Melissa’s STORY
Melissa Leonardis
Finally, I am being obedient to the Lord who has repeatedly encouraged me to share my God's story with you.
Five years ago, my life looked pretty perfect. I had been married for over 20 years to a charismatic wedding photographer from Windber. Unfortunately he is a grandiose narcissist. I was living on an extravagant 40 acre estate in Bedford County. I had two kind and loving children. We attended the Italian Catholic church regularly. I had a hectic but, rewarding job as a physician assistant working in Pediatrics. Then, a raging storm entered my life.
I began experiencing daily migraine headaches after a traumatic wisdom tooth extraction by an oral surgeon. Everyday, I woke up with a debilitating headache that eventually made it impossible to work. Then, I contracted a severe staph infection of my scalp which spread throughout my entire body. This bacterial infection was caused by a hospital procedure to treat my headaches.. God only knows
how I survived. I should have died from sepsis but, a million little miracles saved me. I learned from this experience, God' only knows his plan for me.
I had survived this storm but, another storm was raging.
A few months later, my husband becomes frustrated with a sick wife who is collecting unemployment. He decides to spread malicious lies about me to my family and friends. He tells everyone in the community, I had an affair with a family friend. Also, I was addicted to prescription drugs I was taking for my chronic headaches. Then, my husband confronted me about this alleged affair. Of course, I deny the affair and he physically harasses me and ultimately forces me from my home. Immediately, my husband changes the locks and pass codes. I temporarily seek shelter at my mom's house four hours away on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Now, with God's protection , I am safe from harm but I'm desperately missing my children. With courage from the Lord, I file for divorce. Then, I quickly rented an apartment in Richland so my children could visit me.
During this time, I wasn't attending the Catholic church. I felt so much guilt and shame regarding my failed marriage and fractured family from both the priest and my fellow parishioners.
Then, a friend of mine invited me to Journey Church. I knew I felt God's presence in my life, so it was time to return to church. After attending Journey Church, I began my mornings by reading the daily devotion and listening to modern Christian music on my Alexa. One morning, I heard a song that literally touched my heart and soul.
I dropped to my knees crying. I felt the Holy Spirit wrapping me with his unrelenting love and mercy.
The song that was playing was God Only Knows by For Kings and Country.
The lyrics that day spoke to me and it changed the trajectory of my spiritual life. God spoke to me that day and he said ....
God only knows what you've been through.
God only knows what they say about you
God only knows the Real You.
There is a kind of love
God only knows.
Now, I worry less and pray every day .
I experience God's love and joy in everything I do.
" Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding "
Proverbs 3 : 5-6
Make it a Trusting Tuesday!
God is good ...