Posted by: Accidents have the power to change lives in profound ways, as Valerie Paters knows all too well. A single moment of inattention led to a devastating car accident that left her in a coma, fighting for her life. However, what Valerie experienced during her coma is nothing short of miraculous.
In March 2000, Valerie’s car became trapped beneath a tractor-trailer, and the situation looked dire. She was unconscious, and her condition was deteriorating rapidly. Doctors feared the worst and doubted she would survive.
Despite the grim prognosis, Valerie’s sister, Cheryl, refused to give up hope. She leaned on her faith in God, finding comfort in Psalm 118:17: “I will not die but live, and will tell what the LORD has done.” Cheryl firmly believed that Valerie’s story wasn’t over.
As the days turned into weeks, Cheryl, along with their family and church community, continued to pray fervently for Valerie’s recovery. They placed their trust in God, believing He would work a miracle. Their faith became a beacon of hope during a time of immense uncertainty.
But the challenges were unrelenting. Doctors eventually shared devastating news: Valerie showed no signs of brain activity, and her chances of survival were slim. Though medical interventions kept her alive, hope seemed to be slipping away.
Yet, even as her body lay unresponsive, Valerie’s consciousness took an extraordinary journey. Valerie recounts experiencing what she describes as a visit to heaven. She recalls being surrounded by a radiant light and feeling the powerful, overwhelming presence of Jesus. In that heavenly place, she felt a deep sense of peace and belonging like never before.
During this experience, something transformative happened. Valerie, who had spent much of her life feeling unloved by Jesus, encountered His unconditional love in its purest form. That love was not based on her actions or accomplishments—it simply existed. “It had nothing to do with anything that I had done for Him,” Valerie shares. “It wasn’t my performance, that’s for sure. Nothing. It was only me, but I wasn’t the only thing that He loved about me. But I was the object of His affections.”
Valerie’s story is deeply moving and challenges us to reflect on the power of faith and the limitless love that awaits us beyond this world. Her experience serves as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, hope and transformation are possible.
If you’d like to hear Valerie share her incredible story in her own words, watch the video below.