Allie’s Story Part I – Abide in the Vine

God has given me, former procrastinators, friends whose lives challenge and inspire me.  They are amazing women.  I’ve asked a couple of them to share with you as guest bloggers this month.  Our first to bless you is Allie Solt.

Before and After: Learning to Abide in the Lord

December 7, 1941. September 11, 2001.

Dates that changed our lives. Dates that created a distinct before and after.

May 10, 2025, is my date.

It is the day my four-year-old son, Ledger, suffered a near-fatal drowning, leaving him with a severe anoxic brain injury and significant medical disabilities. In an instant, everything changed. I lost my job, my car, and any sense of normalcy. My marriage, friendships, and family relationships were all affected.

My beloved little boy, while still here with me, is not the same. And neither am I.

Before

Before May 10, 2025, Ledger never met a stranger. He was the life of the party, the sweetest child I had ever known. Everyone loved him.

I know that may sound like the rose-colored glasses of a grieving mother, but it is true. Everywhere he went, he made friends. Adults loved him. Children loved him. He was simply so incredibly lovable.

And most importantly, he loved Jesus.

Before, I considered myself a pretty good mom, a decent wife, and a good employee. I made sure Ledger knew how much he was loved. I tried to keep a nice house, cook good dinners, and be a good wife to my husband. I worked hard at my job—perhaps too hard.

But spiritually, I was lukewarm.

I am embarrassed to admit it. More than embarrassed, I am mortified that I had never read through the entire Bible.

I would tell myself, Life is so busy right now. I’ll get to it eventually.

Eventually.

That word can be so deceptive.

I went to church. I tried to be kind to others and live a life that reflected my faith. But I was also afraid of offending people by witnessing to them.

Can you imagine? Being afraid that someone might be offended because I told them, “I want you in Heaven with me!”

Looking back, I realize how easily I allowed busyness, fear, and procrastination to keep me from the things that mattered most.

I wasn’t necessarily rejecting God. I was simply putting off the deeper relationship with Him that He was inviting me into.

And then everything changed.

May 10, 2025.

When Everything Changed

As I searched the murky pond water for my son, I sought God.

As I knelt in the emergency room waiting to hear whether my son had a heartbeat, I sought God.

As I rode in the helicopter to the regional children’s hospital, I witnessed to the pilot.

As my son was admitted to the intensive care unit, I prayed with the doctors and nurses.

And as Ledger lay in that pediatric ICU for forty-five days, connected to countless lines, tubes, and machines, I sought God.

I prayed. I read His Word. I begged. I witnessed to nurses, doctors, family members, friends, and strangers.

And slowly, over time, I began to change.

At first, I was panic-reading the Bible.

What does God say about healing? What does He say about prayer? What does He say about waiting?

I was searching for answers. I was desperate for hope. I wanted to understand what God was doing and what He might do next.

But somewhere along the way, something began to shift.

God started revealing Himself to me—not merely as the One who could answer my prayers, but as the One who was worthy of being known, trusted, and loved regardless of the outcome.

I began to crave time in His Word.

Not just answers. Him.

To be continued next week…