Strengthening faith through story
A Night of Story and Song
Double Oak Community Church • Mt Laurel
June 18 • 6 p.m.
In her Florida home, Chelsea Reynolds was lying on the couch watching television. It had been two years since her diagnosis, and while she had seen progress in regaining some use of her legs, the fear was constant that the paralysis would creep slowly upward into her arms. Worse still, it could enter her lungs.
In the next room, her mother, Candace Reynolds, was reading the Gospel of John, specifically the story of Lazarus in Chapter 11. Lazarus was beloved by Jesus, and when Lazarus died Jesus wept for him. In verse 4, Jesus said, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
She called out, “Chelsea, did you ever wonder if God loves you or why he has allowed you to suffer through this?”
“I’ve never felt like he didn’t love me,” Chelsea replied.
Last year, from the podium of Double Oak Community Church in Mt Laurel, Candace told the story of her family’s trials during A Night of Story and Song, an event launched by the church to reveal how the power of God has worked in the lives of those who sit quietly in the pews on Sunday.
Slated this year for June 18, event organizers said they think the event provides a powerful look at the promises of the Bible from people who know them best, people like Candace and Chelsea Reynolds.
Chelsea’s journey
For the Reynolds family, it all started with a tingle.
When she was 15 years old, Chelsea Reynolds found success in almost anything. She made good grades, starred on her school’s golf team and took on lead roles in school plays. But with almost no warning, a tingle in her toes turned to numbness in her feet. And in the blink of an eye, Chelsea was paralyzed from the waist down.
“In six weeks, she went from being a healthy, happy teenager to being in a wheelchair, and we didn’t have any reason why,” Candace said.
For months, doctors struck out in search of a diagnosis but came back with nothing to offer the family. With no explanation, there was no treatment. Chelsea was told numerous times that if she walked again, it would be with leg braces. And her chances of swinging a golf club or starring in a musical again were nonexistent.
So, for Christmas that first year, Chelsea made a request. With her mother leaned over her hospital bed, Chelsea asked for a specific gift — a new driver. Her mother couldn’t talk her out of it.
“I purchased that golf club with tears running down face,” Candace said. “It was the most difficult purchase I’ve ever made in my entire life.”
In the coming months, Chelsea refused to give up on walking. Candace said Chelsea dragged herself up the stairs at night and got in to bed on her own.
Chelsea went to school with a walker for a short time until she collapsed in the hall. From then on, she stayed home, and while trapped in her house the family finally found out what was happening to their daughter.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the body’s nervous system. According to the National Institute of Health, symptoms can occur suddenly and the body can be completely, permanently paralyzed within days. Recovery is possible — even probable — but it can take years.
“God impressed on me this would not be a quick fix,” Candace said. “How gracious of him to prepare a mother’s heart.”
Four years later, following daily treatments and therapy and two relapses of her paralysis, Chelsea picked up the driver her mother bought her for Christmas. She shot a 39 on first 9 holes. She went on to win several tournaments and was ranked in the top-20 high school golfers in Florida.
Chelsea’s specialist released her in 2006, and in 2010 she graduated from Samford University with a degree in musical theater. She since played lead in several shows that required her to both sing and dance.
“The story of Lazarus would come about so God’s son would be glorified through it,” Candace said. “We had to wait our three days of healing, however long that was.”
Telling the story
Candace said when she started her family’s tale during the inaugural A Night of Story and Song in 2013, members of the audience weren’t sure how it would end. But when she finished, Chelsea ran to the stage from the back of the audience and picked up the microphone to sing the song “Healing in Your Hands.”
“We want to have people in the church really hear more stories from people who attend,” Candace said. “Most stories give a little background about what God did through their challenges. Everyone has different circumstances, and these stories show how their faith increased through them.”
Double Oak Pastor of Discipleship Frank Patrick said Candace was the event’s crescendo speaker in 2013, selected because her story featured both struggle and triumph. He said the church realizes not every story ends with the victory people want, but that’s not what’s important.
“People in the audience realize that, just like them, those who tell these stories had a community by their side through the process and that God is faithful,” Patrick said. “No matter who you are, you can come to this and say, ‘I understand. That makes sense.’”
This year’s A Night of Story and Song will be held at Double Oak Community Church on June 18 at 6 p.m. Patrick said the event features seven speakers in five sessions and will last about 90 minutes. For more, visit doubleoakcc.org.