A Healing Heart: A Spiritual Renewal

Alberta Sequeira
Publish America, LLLP (2006)
ISBN 1424144582
Reviewed by Joanne Benham for Reader Views (12/06)


In 1986, Alberta Sequeira asked her father if he believed in miracles.  His answer was an unequivocal yes.  Four years later, Alberta had to put all of her faith in miracles as her beloved father lay dying of cancer.  Although Alberta’s prayers were not answered in the way she wished, the long hours spent with her father before his death, seeing his unshakeable faith in God, began to reawaken her own sadly neglected faith in God. Then, in 1993, as she was preparing to enter the hospital for her own surgery, trying to put up a brave front for her family while inwardly frightened to death, she experienced her own miracle as the voice of God came to her the night before surgery and told her, “Do not be afraid.  I’ll be with you.”  An enormous sensation of peace came over her and she didn’t even need to take the tranquilizers the doctor prescribed for her. 

After a surprise encounter in Medway, Massachusetts, Alberta makes the decision to visit Medjugorje, in Bosnia, where six people claimed to be receiving visits from the Blessed Mother Mary.  Once she made up her mind to go, nothing could stop her, not her health, her fear of flying or the refusal of her husband to accompany her.  All she knew was that she had to go.  And so the preparations began.  Buoyed with the well-wishes of her friends and family, loaded with prayer requests she is determined to honor, Alberta sets out on the longest journey of her life.

The visit to Medjugorje is filled with joy and miracles as Alberta comes to realize that true joy and happiness come from within, when people turn their lives over to God rather than focusing on material possessions.  She returns home, spiritually recharged, ready to undertake her mission for God, fighting Satan as he continues to tempt the weak in an effort to win their souls.

I was reading this book by flashlight as I sat for the fifth day in a row in a house that had lost all power from a winter storm.  Wrapped in two quilts, a heavy winter coat and insulated boots, I read this passage from the book:  “…we will all suffer, whether it is mentally or physically.  It’s our punishment for our sins: like Adam and Eve.  Jesus waits for us to offer up our suffering and trust in Him.”  So I closed my eyes and prayed that our family would get through this…my mother, who is 75, my younger brother who has a heart condition and finally for myself because I hate cold weather.  At the exact moment I finished my prayer, the lights came on.  Most people will scoff and say it was just a coincidence.  They’ll never convince me…I know what happened.

“A Healing Heart: A Spiritual Renewal” will annoy most unbelievers.  For the faithful, it will be a reaffirmation.

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