In the midst of today’s uncertain times, I still believe that our blessings, if we take the time to count them, far outweigh our worries.  In that regard, I want to share a powerful story that I feel will both touch your heart and give you hope for the future.

The following story was communicated to me by my friend John…

Floretta Busenhart graduated Valedictorian of her senior class in 1939, married Sherrill Leckrone in the summer of 1940, had their first daughter in 1941, their second in 1943, and their son was born in 1945.  Life for the Leckrones in southern Illinois was really good.  Then, in 1949, their ideal world was turned upside down when their oldest daughter and only son contracted polio.  Both children were admitted to a juvenile polio sanatorium in Centralia, Illinois.  Floretta was not only a loving mother and devoted spouse, but she had a deep, abiding faith in God.  She went to the sanatorium one evening (she was there most of her waking hours), knelt between the beds of her two children and prayed that God would heal her son and daughter and let it be her that carried the burden of polio, as she had lived a full life (she was twenty-nine at the time).  Within a few weeks, her small children were miraculously healed, and Floretta had contracted debilitating paralytic polio.  She was left paralyzed from the neck down.  Floretta – this brave and loving mother – was told by two different physicians, once at the age of twenty-nine and another at the age of thirty-one, that she should get her life in order because she had at most a month or two to live.  In both cases she shared the following words with the doctors – “You must have forgotten the agreement I have with God.  He has promised to allow me to serve Him until my three children have graduated and my first grandchild is born.”

In 1963, her oldest daughter – Shirley – was attending nursing school, her youngest daughter – Miriam – had married and her only son had graduated from high school and was attending Eastern Illinois University.  On February 18, 1964, Floretta’s first grandchild, Vicki, was born.  God had kept His promise and Mrs. Floretta Leckrone, a faithful servant, was called home on April 23, 1964. 

As Paul Harvey says, here is the rest of the story….

Floretta was confined to an iron lung for most of her life once she contracted polio.  When not in the iron lung, she was dependent on an artificial breathing device that was provided by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.  Her body had withered to a mere 50 pounds, and she only had utilization of her lips.  But, instead of complaining and blaming, she made a commitment to serve others (her commitment to God) by writing a cookbook.  Daily, over the next two plus years, she was helped into a specially designed chair by her mother and housekeeper.  A specially designed mouthstick was placed between her lips and she typed for an hour each day for the next thirty months!  The result was the 3 in 1 Cookbook, recipes for the body, mind, and soul.  Following are the words of appreciation that Mrs. Leckrone shared in the introduction of her cookbook:

In Appreciation

“Needless to say, if it were not for God’s love and mercy combined with the help from many people, I would never have been able to undertake this project.  My husband, Sherrill, has been an inspiration to me through all our trials; although, like many wives, I fear I have failed, at times, to express my feelings as I should.  The children have helped by assisting with some of the typing and doing other things that a typewriter with a mouthstick can’t do.  My nurse has done things beyond the call of nursing duties, which have been a big help.  My mother and Mrs. Burr, my housekeeper, have truly been the ones who have had the brunt of the work.  Changing my paper, turning the pages and most of all, getting me up and back to bed again, without one word of complaint.

So many times, while rocking and thinking, I dwell on the thought of what a wonderfully wise God we serve.  He planted the seed of love for our fellow man within our hearts, and without that love for one another, our lives would indeed be lonely.  Twenty years ago, beside my picture in our high school yearbook, these words were printed, “To have a friend is to be one.”  It took me a long time to fully realize the meaning of those words.

Is it any wonder to you that I continue to thank God, not only for what He has done, but also for what He is about to do?

This is the third printing of this book.  I had no idea as to how many would be sold.  So, I stepped out on faith, and my first order was for one thousand copies.  I found that I was completely sold out within three weeks time, and orders had come in for many more.  I again stepped out on faith and placed an order for another two thousand.  Before Mr. Vallow could get started on this order, I was told that I had been selected as the “Polio Mother of the Year for 1960” and was advised to double my order which was done.  These books have been sold, and many more orders have come in.  So, this time I placed another 2000 order.

I appreciate the work of Dr. Earl C. Phillips in publicizing this book in the Southern Illinois Methodist.

And I am truly grateful to my many friends who have so graciously helped me with the sale and delivery of these books.  ‘May God’s richest blessings be yours’ is my sincere prayer for you.”

Yours in Christ,

Floretta Leckrone

I am privileged to share this remarkable story of faith, hope, and perseverance.  Mrs. Floretta Leckrone’s legacy is a shining example of the power of a servant heart.  I want to personally thank her son and my friend, John Leckrone, for allowing me to share his mother’s beautiful story.  I met John several years ago and I must admit that he is graced with his mother’s servant heart.  John, please know that stars are God’s proof that souls are shining in heaven and your mom’s spirit is part of the illumination.  I’m quite sure that she is smiling….

May the true riches of life be yours!

Your friend,